Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that gradually impairs memory, thinking, and behavior. It affects millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most common forms of dementia. 

While the disease typically impacts older adults, it’s important to recognize its symptoms early, understand the condition, and know what to expect. This article provides an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, aimed at helping patients and their families navigate the challenges that come with it.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease manifests in various ways as it progresses. These symptoms often worsen over time and impact different aspects of daily life.

• Memory Loss: One of the earliest and most recognized signs of Alzheimer's is forgetfulness. Initially, patients may struggle to remember recent events, names, or conversations. As the disease progresses, they may forget important personal details, such as their address or the names of loved ones.
• Thinking and Reasoning Difficulties: Alzheimer's patients often experience difficulty concentrating and performing tasks that require logic and problem-solving. Simple calculations, making sense of time, and even basic decision-making can become challenging.
• Difficulty Making Decisions and Planning: Everyday activities such as managing finances, keeping track of appointments, or preparing a meal become overwhelming as Alzheimer's progresses. This can lead to frustration for both the individual and their caregivers.
• Challenges in Performing Familiar Tasks: People with Alzheimer’s may find it hard to complete tasks they’ve done many times before, such as driving to a familiar location or following a recipe. The disease interrupts the brain’s ability to sequence actions, making even routine activities difficult.
• Behavioral and Personality Changes: Alzheimer’s disease can cause significant changes in mood and personality. Individuals may become anxious, suspicious, or withdrawn. Irritability, depression, and mood swings are also common as the disease advances. In some cases, patients may experience hallucinations or delusions.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s involves a comprehensive evaluation that looks at several aspects of a patient's health and behavior. The diagnostic process generally includes:

• Medical History and Symptom Review: The doctor will ask about any memory issues, changes in behavior, or difficulties with daily activities. They’ll also look into the patient’s medical history, family history of dementia, and any existing health conditions.
• Cognitive and Neuropsychological Tests: To assess memory, thinking, and problem-solving abilities, patients undergo cognitive tests that measure functions like memory recall, language skills, and the ability to follow instructions. These tests help doctors pinpoint whether cognitive decline is related to Alzheimer's or another condition.
• Physical and Neurological Exams: A physical exam helps rule out other potential causes of dementia, such as thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies. Neurological exams, including checking reflexes, muscle tone, and coordination, assess overall brain function.
• Mental Health Assessments: Depression and anxiety are common in Alzheimer's patients and may sometimes mask cognitive decline. Mental health evaluations help doctors differentiate between Alzheimer’s and other psychological conditions.

Diagnostic Tests for Alzheimer's Disease

To further refine the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, a series of tests are often conducted, which may include:

• Brain Imaging: Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans, are used to rule out brain tumors, strokes, or other structural abnormalities. These scans can also reveal brain atrophy, a common feature in Alzheimer’s patients.
• PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): PET scans help doctors visualize amyloid plaques, which are abnormal clumps of protein often associated with Alzheimer's disease. This imaging test is especially useful for diagnosing Alzheimer's in its early stages.
• Blood and Spinal Fluid Tests: Researchers are exploring the use of blood tests to detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, such as beta-amyloid and tau proteins. In some cases, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is used to examine cerebrospinal fluid for signs of these proteins, which are indicative of Alzheimer's.

Treatment Options for Alzheimer's Disease

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow progression. Treatment plans are typically tailored to each individual and may include:

• Medications to Manage Symptoms: Several drugs are approved to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's, including Cholinesterase Inhibitors & Memantine These medications do not stop the disease but may help manage symptoms for a time.
• Behavioral and Psychological Symptom Management: As Alzheimer's progresses, patients may experience mood swings, anxiety, or aggression. Medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics may be prescribed to address these issues, but their use is carefully monitored due to potential side effects.
• Lifestyle Modifications and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Non-drug therapies can play a crucial role in managing Alzheimer's. Cognitive rehabilitation programs help patients maintain mental function, and lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and engaging in mental and social activities, may help slow the disease's progression.
• Supportive Therapies: Various therapies are available to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients, including:
• Occupational Therapy to help patients maintain independence in daily activities.
• Speech and Language Therapy for those experiencing difficulty with communication.
• Support for Caregivers: Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t only affect the patient; it profoundly impacts family members and caregivers. Support groups, respite care services, and counseling can provide essential assistance to those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Safety Considerations for Alzheimer’s Patients

Ensuring safety is one of the most important aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer's. Because the disease affects memory, judgment, and motor skills, individuals may face risks like falls, wandering, and accidental injuries. Here’s how to address these risks:

• Preventing Falls: Alzheimer's patients are at an increased risk of falling due to poor balance, confusion, or impaired vision. To prevent falls:
• Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, electrical cords, and clutter.
• Install handrails in hallways, bathrooms, and staircases.
• Ensure rooms are well-lit, particularly at night, by installing motion-activated lights.
• Consider using non-slip mats in bathrooms and other areas prone to moisture.
• Wandering Prevention: Many people with Alzheimer's experience disorientation and may wander away from home, putting them in dangerous situations. To reduce wandering:
• Install locks on doors and windows that are difficult for patients to operate.
• Use motion sensors or door alarms to alert caregivers if the patient attempts to leave the house.
• Create a secure outdoor space where they can walk safely without leaving the premises.
• Consider a GPS tracking device or wearable ID bracelet so that if a person does wander, they can be quickly located.
• Safe Navigation: Alzheimer's patients can become easily confused or disoriented, making it hard to navigate even familiar environments. Helpful measures include:
• Labeling doors and cupboards with pictures or simple words to help patients find items more easily.
• Using color contrasts in floor and wall surfaces to help patients distinguish between rooms.
• Keeping frequently used items like keys, glasses, or a favorite chair in the same place every day to create familiarity and reduce confusion.

Promoting Independence and Reducing Anxiety

Supporting the independence of Alzheimer’s patients in a safe way is essential for their dignity and self-esteem. There are several ways to adjust the home environment to allow patients to maintain as much independence as possible:

• Simplify Daily Tasks: Break down complex activities, such as getting dressed or making a cup of tea, into simpler steps. Place easy-to-use items where they are most needed, such as setting out clothing in the order it should be put on.
• Create Routines: Consistency is key for reducing anxiety and confusion. Establish regular daily routines, including meal times, bathing, and sleep schedules, to create a sense of structure.
• Use Familiar Objects: Surrounding Alzheimer’s patients with familiar objects—like family photos, personal mementos, or cherished furniture—can help them feel more grounded and reduce feelings of disorientation.
• Limit Overstimulation: Alzheimer's patients can become easily overwhelmed by noise, large crowds, or even clutter. Maintain a calm and quiet home environment by reducing background noise (like TVs or radios) and limiting large gatherings in the home. Providing a quiet, comfortable space for rest or relaxation can help reduce anxiety.

Emotional and Behavioral Support

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's also involves providing emotional and behavioral support, as patients may experience mood swings, frustration, or aggression as part of their illness. Here’s how to create an emotionally supportive environment:

• Provide Reassurance and Comfort: Alzheimer’s patients often feel confused, anxious, or frightened, especially when they struggle to remember or complete tasks. Offering gentle reassurance, physical touch like a hand on their shoulder, and a calm tone of voice can help soothe their anxieties.
• Be Patient and Flexible: While it’s essential to establish a routine, be flexible when needed. Alzheimer's patients may resist certain activities or forget steps in their daily routine, so being patient and adapting to their changing needs is important.
• Engage in Meaningful Activities: Engaging Alzheimer’s patients in simple, meaningful activities can help reduce agitation and give them a sense of purpose. Activities such as listening to music, folding towels, watering plants, or working on a jigsaw puzzle can provide mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction.

Adapting the Environment Over Time

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, and the needs of the individual will change as the disease advances. Regularly reassessing the home environment and making adjustments can ensure it remains a safe and supportive space.

• Adjustments to the Bedroom: As Alzheimer's progresses, patients may have difficulty sleeping, which can lead to restlessness at night. To improve sleep quality:
• Ensure the bedroom is quiet, comfortable, and free of bright lights.
• Remove mirrors, as some patients become confused by their reflection.
• Use bed rails or place a mattress on the floor if falls from bed are a concern.
• Supervision and Professional Support: In the later stages of the disease, closer supervision may be necessary to ensure the patient's safety. Family members may want to consider hiring professional caregivers or exploring respite care services to provide additional support.

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Better Health Across Gujarat

Sterling Hospital has proven itself to be the best neurology hospital in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Gandhidham, and Rajkot. We provide our patients with the utmost care and comfort throughout their battle against their neurological problems while striving to provide them with premium treatments and the best results. We've got the best neurosurgeons in Rajkot, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, who will be your partner throughout your journey. Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier life.

Heart disease describes various conditions affecting the heart's structure and function. It is a leading cause of death worldwide, but it can often be prevented or at least managed through lifestyle changes and medical treatment.

Understanding heart disease is crucial for patients and the general public to make informed decisions about their health. Here's a detailed overview to help you navigate this complex topic.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease encompasses several conditions that affect the heart, including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): A common type of plaque accumulates in the arteries that deliver blood to the heart. This buildup can restrict blood flow, potentially causing angina, heart attacks, or even heart failure.
• Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats that range from harmless to life-threatening. Common types include atrial fibrillation & ventricular tachycardia.
• Heart valve disease: Heart valve dysfunction, where one or more valves fail to function correctly, can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart.
• Heart failure: Despite the name, this doesn't mean the heart stops. Instead, it indicates the heart isn't pumping blood as effectively as it should.
• Congenital heart defects: These are heart problems present at birth and can affect the heart's structure, leading to issues in how blood flows through it.
• Cardiomyopathy: A disease caused by the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of heart disease you have. Common signs to watch out for include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina), especially during physical activity.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fatigue or weakness.
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet (edema).
• Fainting or dizziness.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of heart disease are multifactorial, involving a blend of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

• Age: Risk increases with age.
• High blood pressure: Extra strain on the heart and arteries.
• High cholesterol: Plaque builds up in the arteries, increasing the risk of CAD and heart attacks.
• Smoking: Damages the blood vessels.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the heart and blood vessels.
• Obesity: Extra weight forces the heart to work harder, raising the risk of heart failure, CAD, and high blood pressure.
• Inadequate physical activity: Contributes to an elevated likelihood of developing conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Suboptimal nutrition: Diets rich in saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt), and refined sugars are associated with an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
• Genetic predisposition/Family background: Having a family history of heart disease indicates a potentially higher individual risk.
• Biological sex: Men generally face a greater risk earlier in life, whereas the risk for women tends to increase following the onset of menopause.

Diagnosing Heart Disease

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test records your heart's electrical activity and can detect arrhythmias and other abnormalities.
• Echocardiogram: It is an ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and function, helping diagnose valve disease and heart failure.
• Stress test: Measures how your heart responds to exertion, often used to detect CAD.
• Cardiac catheterization: Involves threading a thin tube through the blood vessels to the heart to check for blockages in the coronary arteries.
• Blood tests: These can measure cholesterol levels, markers of inflammation, and enzymes that indicate a heart attack.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of heart disease but often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgical interventions:

• Lifestyle changes: A heart-healthy diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are crucial to managing many types of heart disease.
• Medications may include drugs to lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, or prevent blood clots. For arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic medications can be prescribed.
• Surgical procedures: For severe cases, surgeries like angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair or replacement, or heart transplantation may be necessary.

Living with Heart Disease

For many, living with heart disease involves ongoing management. Regular check-ups with a cardiologist, adhering to prescribed medications, and following lifestyle recommendations are critical to preventing further complications. Familiarizing yourself with your condition and learning about new treatments and technologies that may benefit you is also essential.

Preventing Heart Disease

Some factors, like age and genetics, cannot be controlled, but many can be mitigated through lifestyle changes. Here are some strategies to help prevent heart disease:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Manage stress
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Limit alcohol consumption

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Heart Health Across Gujarat

At Sterling Hospital, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier heart. If you are looking for the best cardiovascular surgeons in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, or Gandhidham, we've got you. With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of the best cardiologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results. Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier heart.

It is a common and dangerous misconception that only heavy drinkers develop liver cirrhosis. In reality, the causes of this severe condition are far more diverse, affecting millions worldwide regardless of their history with alcohol.

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive and irreversible disease where healthy, functional liver tissue is gradually replaced by non-functional scar tissue (fibrosis). This scarring disrupts the liver's architecture, impeding the normal flow of blood and severely impairing its ability to perform essential, life-sustaining functions. While existing scar tissue cannot be reversed, timely diagnosis and intervention are critical to halting or slowing the progression of further damage and preventing life-threatening complications.

The Liver’s Essential Role

The liver is one of the body’s largest and most vital organs, acting as a powerhouse for hundreds of functions, including:

• Detoxification: Filtering toxins, drugs, and waste products from the blood.
• Metabolism: Processing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins from digested food.
• Production: Manufacturing crucial proteins, clotting factors, and bile for digestion.
• Storage: Storing vitamins, minerals, and glucose (as glycogen) for energy.

When cirrhosis develops, these functions are compromised, leading to systemic health problems.

Causes of Cirrhosis: A Diverse Spectrum

While alcohol abuse is a well-known risk factor, the majority of current cirrhosis cases stem from other chronic conditions.

• Chronic Alcohol Abuse: Long-term, excessive consumption of alcohol leads to alcoholic hepatitis, which progresses to cirrhosis.
• Viral Hepatitis: Chronic infections with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C viruses are major global causes. These viruses are spread through exposure to infected blood, sexual contact, or from mother to child. Treatment with antiviral medications can often suppress Hepatitis B and cure Hepatitis C, preventing progression to cirrhosis.
• Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and MASH: This category represents the fastest-growing cause of liver disease globally. MASLD (formerly NAFLD) involves excess fat buildup in the liver. When this fat causes inflammation and cell damage, it is called Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) (formerly NASH). MASH is strongly linked to Metabolic Syndrome—a cluster of conditions including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure—and is a common pathway to cirrhosis.
• Chronic Bile Duct Disorders: Conditions that damage or block the small bile ducts, causing bile to back up and injure liver cells. Examples include:
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC): An autoimmune disorder that slowly destroys the small bile ducts.
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC): Inflammation and scarring of the large bile ducts.
• Genetic and Metabolic Conditions:
• Hemochromatosis: An inherited disorder leading to excessive iron buildup in the liver and other organs.
• Wilson’s Disease: A rare, inherited disorder causing copper accumulation in the body.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: A condition where the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and inflames the liver.
• Toxic Hepatitis: Long-term exposure to certain environmental toxins or chronic use of certain medications, including some over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen (when taken incorrectly) and NSAIDs, can result in chronic liver damage.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Severe or prolonged congestive heart failure can cause blood to back up in the liver (congestive hepatopathy), leading to scarring over time.
• Cryptogenic Cirrhosis: In some cases, a clear, single cause cannot be identified.

Recognizing the Symptoms and Stages

Cirrhosis progresses through two main clinical stages: Compensated and Decompensated. Early recognition of symptoms is vital.

1. Compensated Cirrhosis (Early Stage)

In this stage, the liver is still able to perform most of its functions despite the scarring. Symptoms are often vague or absent, which is why cirrhosis is frequently diagnosed in later stages.

• Fatigue and weakness
• Reduced appetite, nausea, and occasional vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Mild discomfort in the upper right abdomen

2. Decompensated Cirrhosis (Advanced Stage)

At this point, the liver can no longer effectively perform its duties, and severe complications begin to emerge.

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the liver's inability to process bilirubin.
• Ascites: Significant fluid retention and swelling in the abdomen.
• Edema: Swelling, particularly in the legs, ankles, and feet.
• Easy Bleeding/Bruising: Due to impaired production of clotting factors.
• Pruritus (Severe Itching): Often with no visible rash, caused by bile products accumulating under the skin.
• Urine and Stool Changes: Dark-colored urine and pale or clay-colored stools.
• Skin Lesions: Including spider angiomas (small, spider-like blood vessels on the chest and face) and palmar erythema (red palms).
• Hormonal Changes: In men, this can lead to impotence, breast enlargement (gynecomastia), and testicular atrophy.

Potential Complications of Cirrhosis

The failure of the liver leads to several life-threatening conditions:

• Portal Hypertension: The scar tissue blocks normal blood flow from the digestive organs through the portal vein to the liver, causing pressure to build up. This is the primary driver of most complications.
• Varices and Bleeding: Increased portal pressure forces blood to find alternate routes through smaller, fragile vessels, particularly in the esophagus and stomach (esophageal/gastric varices). These veins can rupture and cause severe, life-threatening internal bleeding.
• Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE): The liver is unable to filter toxins (like ammonia) from the blood, allowing them to travel to the brain. This causes mental confusion, disorientation, memory loss, and difficulty with coordination (asterixis or "flapping tremor").
• Infections and Weakened Immunity: Cirrhosis compromises the immune system, significantly raising the risk of serious infections like Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP), an infection of the ascetic fluid.
• Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS): A form of rapid kidney failure that occurs in the most advanced stages of liver disease.
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Cirrhosis is the leading risk factor for developing liver cancer.

Diagnosis of Cirrhosis

If cirrhosis is suspected, specialized testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the damage.

• Blood Tests: To assess liver function (e.g., elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin, reduced albumin and clotting factors).
• FibroScan/Elastography: A non-invasive ultrasound technique that uses sound waves to measure the stiffness of the liver tissue, indicating the degree of scarring (fibrosis) and fat content (steatosis).
• Imaging (Ultrasound, CT Scan, or MRI): Provide detailed images of the liver to reveal texture changes, nodularity, enlarged spleen, and the presence of ascites.
• Upper GI Endoscopy: A procedure to examine the esophagus and stomach for the presence of enlarged veins (varices).
• Liver Biopsy: Historically the gold standard, this procedure involves taking a small tissue sample for microscopic examination to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact cause and stage of the scarring.

Treatment at Sterling Hospital

Sterling Hospital's primary goal is to stop the underlying disease process and effectively manage complications to prevent the transition from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis.

• Addressing the Cause:
• Alcohol-related: Complete and permanent abstinence from alcohol.
• Hepatitis: Antiviral medication to cure Hepatitis C or suppress Hepatitis B.
• MASH: Aggressive weight management, dietary changes, and pharmacological control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
• Autoimmune: Immunosuppressive medications to control the immune attack.
• Managing Complications: Medications are used to lower portal vein pressure, remove excess fluid (diuretics), manage hepatic encephalopathy (lactulose or rifaximin), and improve kidney function.
• Liver Transplant: For patients with severe, end-stage decompensated cirrhosis where other treatments are ineffective, a liver transplant may be the only curative option.

Our specialized Liver & Digestive Science center at Sterling Hospital provides world-class care, integrating state-of-the-art diagnostics, including the advanced FibroScan, with specialized Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Endoscopy services to provide comprehensive care for the full spectrum of liver diseases.

Cholesterol is one of those medical terms that nearly everyone has heard. You likely see it mentioned in news reports or hear about it from family members who are watching their diet. Despite how common the word is, many people do not fully understand what cholesterol does or why it matters so much for their well-being. At Sterling Hospitals, we believe that clear information is the most powerful tool you have to protect your health.

It helps to start with the basics. Cholesterol is not inherently bad. It is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body actually needs to survive. It is found in every cell you have. Your body uses it to build healthy cells and produce hormones. It also helps you make vitamin D and digest food.

Your liver is responsible for making all the cholesterol your body requires to function. The trouble begins when there is too much of it circulating in your blood. This excess usually comes from the foods you eat, specifically those high in saturated and trans fats. When levels get too high, the extra cholesterol has nowhere to go. It can start to build up in your blood vessels and create serious problems for your heart.

Understanding the Different Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol cannot travel through the blood on its own because it is a fat, and blood is water-based. To move around, it attaches to proteins. This package of protein and fat is called a lipoprotein. There are two main types of lipoproteins that you should know about, often referred to as good and bad cholesterol.

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is commonly known as bad cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol particles throughout your body. When you have too much LDL, it can stick to the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup makes the arteries hard and narrow.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This is called good cholesterol. HDL acts like a scavenger in your bloodstream. It picks up excess cholesterol and carries it back to your liver. Your liver then breaks it down and removes it from your body.
• Triglycerides: These are not cholesterol, but they are a type of fat found in your blood. Your body converts calories it does not need right away into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. High triglyceride levels can also increase your risk of heart disease.

The Silent Danger of Plaque Buildup

The primary reason high cholesterol is dangerous is that it leads to a condition called atherosclerosis. This is a medical term for the hardening and narrowing of the arteries.

You can think of your arteries as a network of pipes that carry oxygen-rich blood to your entire body. When you have high LDL levels, the excess cholesterol combines with other substances in your blood to form plaque. Plaque is a thick, hard deposit that sticks to the inner lining of your arteries.

This process happens slowly and silently. You might have plaque growing in your arteries for years without knowing it. As the plaque gets bigger, the opening inside the artery gets smaller. This limits the amount of blood that can flow through to your heart muscle.

The real crisis occurs if a deposit of plaque suddenly breaks open or ruptures. When this happens, your body tries to fix the injury by forming a blood clot on the surface of the plaque. If the clot is large enough, it can block the blood flow completely. If this happens in a coronary artery, it causes a heart attack. If it happens in an artery leading to the brain, it causes a stroke.

Identifying Your Risk Factors

Many different things can influence your cholesterol levels. Some of these are lifestyle choices you make every day. Others are factors you are born with. Understanding your personal risk helps you and your doctor decide on the best way to protect your heart.

• Your Diet: The food you eat plays a major role. Saturated fats found in red meat and full-fat dairy products can raise your total cholesterol. Trans fats, which are often found in store-bought snacks, are particularly harmful.
• Physical Activity: People who are not active tend to have lower HDL levels. Regular exercise helps raise your good cholesterol and helps your body clear out the bad cholesterol.
• Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol.
• Smoking: Cigarette use damages the walls of your blood vessels and makes them more likely to accumulate fatty deposits. It also lowers your HDL levels.
• Genetics: High cholesterol can run in families. Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes very high LDL levels regardless of diet.
• Medical Conditions: Certain health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, and underactive thyroid can negatively affect your cholesterol levels.

The Importance of Testing

One of the most challenging aspects of high cholesterol is that it typically causes no symptoms. You cannot feel plaque building up in your arteries. You can be active and feel perfectly fine while having dangerous cholesterol levels. The only way to know for sure is through a blood test called a lipid panel.

Current medical guidelines suggest that adults should get their cholesterol checked every four to six years. However, you may need more frequent testing if you have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

At Sterling Hospitals, we often see patients who only discover they have high cholesterol after they experience chest pain or a cardiac event. As a leading heart hospital in Ahmedabad, we strongly encourage preventive screening. Catching high levels early gives you the chance to make changes before permanent damage occurs.

Treatment and Lifestyle Changes

The main goal of treatment is to lower your LDL and reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. For many people, the first step is adjusting their lifestyle.

• Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Foods rich in soluble fiber, like oats and beans, can help prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol.
• Exercise Regularly: Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. This can help improve your cholesterol numbers and lower your blood pressure.
• Stop Smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Your HDL levels can improve shortly after you stop.

Sometimes, diet and exercise are not enough. If your levels remain high, your doctor may prescribe medication. Statins are the most common drug used to treat high cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. There are also newer medications available for people who cannot take statins or have genetic conditions.

Finding the Right Care

Managing your heart health is a long-term partnership between you and your medical team. If your test results show high cholesterol, it is important to consult with a specialist who can look at your overall health profile.

Many patients come to us asking for the best cardiologist in Ahmedabad to help them manage complex risk factors. We believe that the best care comes from a comprehensive approach. This means looking at your diet, your family history, and your lifestyle to create a plan that works for you.

When choosing a heart specialist hospital in Ahmedabad, look for a facility that offers advanced diagnostic tools and a full range of treatment options. Whether you need simple lifestyle coaching or advanced intervention, having a skilled team behind you makes a difference.

At Sterling Hospitals, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier heart. If you are looking for the best  cardiovascular surgeons in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, or Gandhidham, we've got you.

With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of the best cardiologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results. Contact Sterling Hospitals to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier heart.

Your heart works hard for you every minute of the day. By keeping an eye on your cholesterol and making healthy choices, you can make sure it keeps beating strong for years to come. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Talk to your doctor about your cholesterol numbers today.

Your heart is a muscular pump responsible for circulating blood throughout your entire body. It beats roughly 100,000 times a day to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your organs. Sometimes the heart muscle itself undergoes structural changes that prevent it from working the way it should. This group of diseases is known as cardiomyopathy.

At Sterling Hospitals, we treat many patients who face this diagnosis. We know that learning you have a heart condition can be frightening. We want to help you understand exactly what cardiomyopathy is and how we can manage it together. The condition involves the heart muscle becoming enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the healthy muscle tissue is replaced with scar tissue.

As the condition worsens, the heart becomes weaker. It becomes less able to pump blood through the body and cannot maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias.

We are committed to helping our community understand these risks. As a leading heart hospital in Ahmedabad, we believe that informed patients make better decisions about their health.

What Is Cardiomyopathy?

The word cardiomyopathy means heart muscle disease. It is not a single condition but a collection of issues that affect the heart muscle.

The condition can be acquired or inherited. Acquired means you develop it because of another disease or factor. Inherited means the gene changes that cause it were passed down from a parent. Often the exact cause remains unknown. This is especially true when the condition occurs in children.

The Different Forms of Heart Muscle Disease

There are several types of cardiomyopathy. Each affects the heart muscle in a unique way.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

This is a condition where the heart chambers become thin and stretch out. The heart grows larger. It typically starts in the left ventricle which is the main pumping chamber of the heart. Because the muscle is thin, it cannot squeeze with enough force to pump blood effectively. This type affects people of all ages but is most common in men under age 50.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This type involves abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. It usually affects the septum which is the wall between the two lower chambers. The thickened muscle makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. It is the most common form of inherited heart disease. About one in every 500 people has this condition.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

This is the least common form of the disease. The walls of the ventricles become rigid. They lose the flexibility needed to fill with blood properly. The heart can squeeze well enough but it cannot relax between beats. This causes blood to back up into the circulatory system.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

This is a rare condition where healthy heart muscle is replaced by fatty or fibrous scar tissue. It often affects the right ventricle. This damage disrupts the heart's electrical signals and leads to irregular heart rhythms. It is often seen in teens or young adults.

Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

You may have heard this called broken heart syndrome. It causes sudden weakness in the heart muscle. It is often triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress. The condition is usually temporary and most people recover with medical care.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Some people with cardiomyopathy never have symptoms. Others do not notice signs until the condition gets worse.

You should watch for these common signs:

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing with activity or even at rest
• Swelling of the legs and ankles and feet
• Bloating of the stomach area due to fluid buildup
• Coughing while lying down
• Fatigue that persists even after getting rest
• Heartbeats that feel rapid or pounding or fluttering
• Chest pain or pressure especially after physical activity or heavy meals
• Dizziness and fainting

If you experience these symptoms you should see a healthcare professional. We act as a dedicated heart specialist hospital in Ahmedabad and can help determine if these signs point to a heart muscle problem.

Understanding the Causes

There are many reasons why cardiomyopathy develops.

Family History

Genetics are a major factor. The condition often runs in families. If your parents or siblings have had heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest you may be at higher risk.

Medical Conditions

Certain diseases can damage the heart muscle over time.

• Long-term high blood pressure puts strain on the heart
• Damage from a past heart attack creates scar tissue
• Heart valve problems force the heart to work harder
• Metabolic disorders such as obesity or thyroid disease or diabetes raise the risk
• Infections like COVID-19 can cause inflammation in the heart
• Iron buildup in the heart muscle which is called hemochromatosis
• buildup of abnormal proteins in organs which is called amyloidosis

Lifestyle Factors

Your daily habits also play a role. Long-term alcohol misuse weakens the heart. The use of cocaine or amphetamines or anabolic steroids can also cause this damage.

How We Diagnosis the Condition

We use a thorough process to check for cardiomyopathy. We start by asking questions about your personal and family medical history. We also perform a physical exam.

To get a clear picture of your heart structure we use several tests:

• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. It shows us how blood flows and if the muscle is thick or thin.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This records the electrical activity of the heart. It shows us if the rhythm is steady or irregular.
• Cardiac MRI: This uses magnetic fields to create detailed images. It is helpful when other tests do not provide enough information.
• Stress Tests: We monitor your heart while you walk on a treadmill to see how it reacts to exercise.
• Genetic Testing: Since the disease can be passed down we may recommend testing for you and your family members.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward feeling better. If you are searching for the best cardiologist in Ahmedabad to guide you through this process our team is ready to assist you.

Treatment Approaches

We cannot always cure cardiomyopathy but we can manage it. The goals are to control symptoms and keep the condition from getting worse.

Medications

Doctors use many types of medicines to help the heart pump better.

• Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure
• Diuretics remove excess fluid and sodium from the body
• Blood thinners help prevent clots from forming
• Newer drugs like myosin inhibitors help reduce the strain in hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Medical Devices

If the heart rhythm is dangerous we may suggest an implanted device. A pacemaker helps control the heartbeat. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD tracks heart rhythm and delivers shocks if needed to control irregular beats.

Procedures

Surgery is sometimes necessary. For hypertrophic cardiomyopathy doctors can perform a septal myectomy to remove part of the thickened muscle. This improves blood flow through the heart.

Transplants

In severe cases where other treatments no longer work a heart transplant may be the best option. At Sterling Hospitals we have established ourselves as the best cardiology hospital in Ahmedabad through our commitment to advanced care. Our transplant programs are robust and we have achieved significant milestones in organ transplantation.

Lifestyle Management

Living with cardiomyopathy means making choices that protect your heart.

• Eat a Healthy Diet: Focus on fruits and vegetables and whole grains. You should cut back on salt. Sodium causes the body to hold onto fluid which strains the heart.
• Exercise Safely: Regular activity is good but you must follow your doctor's advice. Recent guidelines suggest that even people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can benefit from recreational exercise.
• Manage Stress: Emotional stress can make symptoms worse. Finding ways to relax is important for your heart health.
• Avoid Harmful Substances: Do not smoke. You should also limit or avoid alcohol.

Moving Forward

Cardiomyopathy is a serious diagnosis but it is manageable with the right care. You do not have to face it alone. We are here to provide the support and expertise you need. We combine advanced technology with compassionate care to help our patients live fuller lives. If you have concerns about your heart health please reach out to us. We are proud to serve our community as a trusted provider.

At Sterling Hospitals, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier heart. If you are looking for the best  cardiovascular surgeons in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, or Gandhidham, we've got you.

With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of thebest cardiologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results.Contact Sterling Hospitals to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier heart.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a condition in which the heart valves are permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after an untreated or undertreated streptococcal infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. While this condition has become rare in wealthy nations, it remains a major health challenge in South Asia and other developing regions.

At Sterling Hospitals, we believe that understanding the connection between a simple sore throat and serious heart damage is the first step toward prevention. RHD affects between 40 and 55 million people globally and claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year. The tragedy of this disease is that it is preventable.

Understanding the Cause

The path to rheumatic heart disease begins with a common bacterial infection known as group A streptococcal pharyngitis, or strep throat. If this infection is not treated properly with antibiotics, it can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body about two to four weeks later. This reaction is called acute rheumatic fever.

During rheumatic fever, the body’s immune system tries to fight the bacteria. However, the tissues of the heart valves share a similar molecular structure to the bacteria. This case of mistaken identity causes the immune system to attack the heart’s own tissues. This inflammation can cause scarring and stiffness in the valve flaps.

Over time, this damage disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart. It usually affects the left side of the heart, specifically the mitral valve and the aortic valve.

Who is at Risk?

Rheumatic fever mostly affects children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 15. However, the permanent heart damage may not show symptoms until a person is a young adult.

Living conditions play a large role in the spread of the bacteria. Overcrowding and limited access to medical care increase the risk of repeated strep infections. In India and other parts of South Asia, the burden of this disease remains high. Repeated episodes of rheumatic fever cause cumulative damage to the heart valves. This is why preventing the recurrence of infection is a primary goal.

How RHD Affects the Heart Valves

The inflammation from rheumatic fever changes the shape and flexibility of the heart valves. This can lead to two main problems:

• Valve Stenosis: The valve opening becomes narrowed. The valve flaps may fuse together or become stiff and thickened. This prevents the valve from opening fully and reduces blood flow. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrow opening.
• Valve Regurgitation: The valve does not close tightly. This allows blood to leak backward in the wrong direction. The heart must pump more blood to make up for the leak

The mitral valve is affected in a large majority of cases. Damage to the aortic valve is also common, while the tricuspid valve is affected less often.

Recognising the Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease often depend on how much damage the valves have sustained. Some people may not notice issues for years after the initial fever. When symptoms do appear, they often include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying flat
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the stomach, hands, or feet
• A sensation of a rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

If you experience these symptoms and have a history of rheumatic fever, it is vital to consult a doctor. We have the best cardiologist in Ahmedabad available to evaluate your history and current condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing RHD involves a review of your medical history and a physical exam. A doctor will listen to your heart for a specific sound called a murmur. This sound is caused by blood flowing through a damaged valve.

To confirm the diagnosis, we use several tests:

• Echocardiogram: This ultrasound of the heart is the most useful test. It allows doctors to see the moving pictures of the heart valves and assess the severity of the damage.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This records the electrical activity of the heart and detects irregular rhythms.
• Chest X-ray: This can show if the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid in the lungs.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for rheumatic heart disease, but the condition can be managed effectively. The goal of treatment is to prevent further damage and manage symptoms.

Medications

• Antibiotics: This is the cornerstone of treatment. Patients often require long-term antibiotics every three to four weeks, to prevent the return of strep infections. This can continue for 10 years or until age 40, depending on the severity.
• Blood Thinners: These reduce the risk of stroke or blood clots, especially if the patient has a heart rhythm disorder like atrial fibrillation.
• Heart Failure Medications: These help the heart pump more effectively and remove excess fluid from the body.

Procedures and Surgery

If the heart valves are severely damaged, intervention may be necessary.

• Balloon Valvuloplasty: For some cases of valve narrowing, a doctor can insert a balloon through a blood vessel to widen the valve opening. This is a procedure done without open-heart surgery.
• Valve Repair: Surgeons can sometimes repair the damaged valve to help it function better. This preserves the natural heart tissue.
• Valve Replacement: If the valve is too damaged to repair, it may need to be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve.

We are proud to be a heart specialist hospital in ahmedabad equipped with advanced cath labs and surgical suites to perform these complex procedures safely.

Pregnancy and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Pregnancy puts extra strain on the heart because the volume of blood in the body increases. For women with RHD, this can be dangerous. It is a leading cause of heart-related complications during pregnancy in our region.

Women with RHD who plan to become pregnant should discuss their condition with a healthcare provider beforehand. Close monitoring throughout the pregnancy is essential to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.

Prevention Strategies

The most effective way to prevent rheumatic heart disease is to treat strep throat infections promptly. If you or your child has a sore throat with a fever, swollen lymph nodes, or pain when swallowing, seek medical attention. A simple course of antibiotics can stop the immune reaction that leads to heart damage.

For those who have already had rheumatic fever, sticking to the schedule of preventative antibiotics is crucial. Missing doses can leave the body vulnerable to another attack, which causes further damage to the heart valves.

Living with RHD

Living with this condition requires regular medical checkups. You may need to limit certain physical activities depending on the severity of your valve disease. Dental hygiene is also important, as bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in damaged heart valves.

At Sterling Hospitals, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier heart. If you are looking for the best  cardiovascular surgeons in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, or Gandhidham, we've got you.

With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of thebest cardiologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results.Contact Sterling Hospitals to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier heart.

Your heart is a complex pump responsible for moving blood throughout your body. When a baby is born with a problem in the structure of the heart, doctors call this congenital heart disease (CHD). This term covers a wide range of issues that affect how blood flows through the heart. Some defects are simple and might not need treatment, while others are more complex and require surgery soon after birth.

Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect. In India alone, about 200,000 to 300,000 babies are born with a heart defect each year. This affects nearly 1% of all births. The good news is that medical care has improved greatly over the last few decades. Today, more than 94% of Indian children born with a heart defect who had surgical intervention survive into adulthood.

At Sterling Hospitals, we understand that a diagnosis of a heart defect can feel overwhelming for parents and patients. We are here to help you understand what this condition means, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment paths are available.

What Goes Wrong in the Heart?

During the first six weeks of pregnancy, a baby’s heart begins to take shape and starts beating. This is when congenital heart defects usually develop. The problems can affect different parts of the heart:

• Walls: The heart has walls that separate the left side from the right side. If a hole forms in these walls, blood can mix incorrectly.
• Valves: These are like doors that open and close to control blood flow. A valve might be too narrow or completely closed, forcing the heart to work harder.
• Blood Vessels: The arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the heart might not form correctly.

These structural issues change the normal flow of blood. This can lead to blood moving too slowly, going in the wrong direction, or failing to reach the lungs or body efficiently.

Types of Heart Defects

Doctors generally group these defects into two main categories based on how they affect oxygen levels in the body.

Cyanotic Heart Defects

These defects lower the amount of oxygen delivered to the body. Babies with this type often have a blue tint to their skin because their blood does not carry enough oxygen.

Acyanotic Heart Defects

These defects do not usually cause low oxygen levels. However, they can still cause abnormal blood flow that puts stress on the heart and lungs.

Symptoms to Watch For

Signs of a heart defect can appear at birth, during infancy, or much later in childhood. Some people do not show symptoms until they are adults.

In Infants and Babies:

• Pale gray or blue skin color (cyanosis), especially on the lips or fingernails.
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
• Swelling in the legs, belly, or around the eyes.
• Shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain.

In Older Children and Adults:

• Getting out of breath easily during exercise or activity.
• Fainting during exercise.
• Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet.
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue).

If you notice these signs, it is important to consult a doctor. Finding the right heart hospital in Ahmedabad is the first step toward getting an accurate diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

In most cases, doctors do not know exactly why a baby’s heart fails to develop correctly. It is often a mix of genetics and environmental factors.

• Genetics: Heart defects can run in families. Certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, increase the risk.
• Infections: Having German measles (rubella) during pregnancy can affect heart development.
• Medical Conditions: If a mother has diabetes, keeping blood sugar controlled before and during pregnancy helps lower the risk.
• Substances: Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of heart defects.

How We Diagnose Heart Defects

Thanks to modern technology, many heart defects are found before a baby is born.

Prenatal Diagnosis

Doctors use a test called a fetal echocardiogram to create pictures of the baby’s heart while still in the womb. This allows the medical team to plan for care immediately after birth.

Postnatal Diagnosis

After birth, doctors use several tests to check heart function:

• Pulse Oximetry: A painless sensor on the finger or toe checks oxygen levels.
• Echocardiogram: Ultrasound waves create images of the heart structure.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Chest X-ray: This shows the size of the heart and the condition of the lungs.

For adults or complex cases, we might use cardiac MRI or cardiac catheterization to get a detailed view. If you are looking for a heart specialist hospital in Ahmedabad with advanced diagnostic tools, these technologies are essential for accurate assessment.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends entirely on the type of defect and how severe it is. Some mild defects, like small holes, may close on their own as a child grows. Others require medical intervention.

Procedures and Surgery

Many defects can now be fixed without open-heart surgery. Doctors use a procedure called cardiac catheterization. They thread a thin tube through a blood vessel to the heart to repair holes or open narrow valves.

For more complex problems, surgery is necessary. Surgeons may patch holes, repair valves, or widen blood vessels. In severe cases, a series of surgeries over several years might be needed. As a leading best cardiology hospital in Ahmedabad, Sterling Hospitals is equipped to handle these complex interventions.

Medications

Sometimes, surgery isn’t needed right away, or at all. Medications can help the heart work more efficiently. These might include drugs to lower blood pressure, remove excess fluid from the body, or keep the heartbeat regular.

Living with Congenital Heart Disease

Decades ago, congenital heart disease was considered a condition only of childhood. Today, there are more adults living with CHD than children. This shift means that care does not stop at age 18.

Adults who had heart surgery as children need regular checkups. Issues like irregular heartbeats or valve problems can develop years later. We recommend that adults with a history of heart defects see a cardiologist who understands congenital conditions.

Quality of Life

Most people with CHD live active, full lives.

• Exercise: Physical activity is good for the heart. Most patients can exercise safely, though some may need to avoid intense competitive sports.
• Pregnancy: Women with CHD can have successful pregnancies, but it requires careful planning with a doctor to manage risks.

When to Seek Care

You should see a doctor if you or your child experience symptoms like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting. Regular follow-up appointments are vital for anyone with a known heart defect, even if you feel fine.

At Sterling Hospitals, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier heart. If you are looking for the best  cardiovascular surgeons in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, or Gandhidham, we've got you.

With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of the best cardiologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results. Contact Sterling Hospitals to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier heart.

By understanding the condition and staying proactive with medical appointments, you can manage congenital heart disease effectively and lead a healthy life.

What Is the Thyroid Gland and What Does It Do?

The thyroid is a gland that sits low on the front of the neck, below the larynx (voice box). Its primary job is to produce and release thyroid hormones, mainly thyroxine (T4) & triiodothyronine (T3).

These hormones are essential for controlling your metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which the human body converts the nutrients from food into usable energy. The rate at which your body uses energy, even at rest, is known as the basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Thyroid hormones set this rate. They determine the speed at which your body will burn calories, how fast your heart beats, and how your body regulates its temperature.

Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism

A thyroid imbalance occurs when the gland produces either too much or too little hormone.

• Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid): A condition that arises when the thyroid gland does not generate or release an adequate amount of thyroid hormones. When hormone levels are low, the body's functions slow down.
• Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid): The opposite condition, in which the thyroid produces excess hormones. This imbalance speeds up the body's metabolism and functions.

While both conditions are serious, the specific issues of weight gain and persistent fatigue are primarily associated with hypothyroidism.

How Hypothyroidism Affects Energy and Weight

Because thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, a shortage of these hormones has a direct, twofold effect on the body.

The Energy Connection

When the thyroid is underactive, the body's metabolic rate slows. This "slowing down" of your internal engine means cells are not functioning at their normal pace. For the individual, this is directly experienced as persistent fatigue, sluggishness, & a general lack of energy that is not relieved by rest.

The Weight Connection

The link between hypothyroidism and weight is complex but clear. A slower basal metabolic rate (BMR) means your body burns fewer calories at rest than it normally would. This can contribute to a calorie surplus, in which unused energy is stored, leading to weight gain.

However, the nature of this weight gain is specific. Hypothyroidism is rarely the sole cause of significant or excessive weight gain. The weight gain directly attributable to an underactive thyroid is typically modest, often 5 to 10 pounds. A large portion of this increase is not due to fat accumulation but to excess accumulation of salt and water in the body, a condition known as myxedema.

Common Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid

• Persistent fatigue, sluggishness, or feeling "run down"
• Modest weight gain
• Difficulty losing weight
• Increased sensitivity to cold (cold intolerance)
• Dry skin
• Thinning hair or hair loss
• Constipation
• Muscle aches, weakness, or stiffness
• Puffy face
• Slowed heart rate (bradycardia)
• Depression or slowed mental processes

What Causes Thyroid Function to Slow Down?

• Hashimoto’s Disease: This condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly targets and harms the thyroid gland. This assault compromises the gland's function and reduces its capacity to manufacture hormones.
• Treatment for Hyperthyroidism: Previous treatments for an overactive thyroid, such as radioactive iodine therapy or anti-thyroid medications, can sometimes result in permanent hypothyroidism
• Thyroid Surgery: The partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), often done to treat thyroid nodules, cancer, or hyperthyroidism, will reduce or stop hormone production
• Radiation Therapy: Exposure to therapeutic radiation for head and neck malignancies can impair the thyroid gland, leading to the development of hypothyroidism
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland. It can cause the gland to release all its stored hormones at once (leading to brief hyperthyroidism), followed by a period of hypothyroidism that may or may not become permanent.
• Certain Medications: Some drugs can interfere with thyroid hormone production

How a Doctor Confirms a Thyroid Problem

• Medical and Family History: A doctor will discuss your symptoms, personal medical history, and whether any family members have had thyroid disease.
• Physical Exam: First, a physical exam will be conducted, including palpation of the neck to assess for thyroid gland enlargement (goiter), lumps, or nodules.
• Blood Tests: This is the most definitive way to diagnose a thyroid condition.
• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): This is the most important and sensitive test. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to produce hormones. A high TSH level indicates the pituitary is trying to "shout" at an underactive thyroid to work harder.
• T4 (Thyroxine): This test measures the level of the primary hormone produced by the thyroid. A low T4 level combined with a high TSH level confirms the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Restoring Balance and Managing Symptoms

• Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy: The condition is managed by taking a daily oral medication.
• How It Works: This medication is a synthetic (man-made) version of the T4 hormone that the thyroid gland is failing to produce. It replaces this missing hormone, allowing the body's metabolism and functions to return to normal.
• Lifelong Monitoring: Treatment for hypothyroidism is typically lifelong. A healthcare provider will use regular TSH blood tests to monitor hormone levels and ensure the medication dosage is correct, adjusting it as needed over time.
• Symptom Resolution: Once the correct dosage is established, the medication typically resolves symptoms like fatigue and cold intolerance and helps stabilize the body's metabolic rate.

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Better Health Across Gujarat

At Sterling Hospital, we provide the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier life. If you are looking for the best endocrinologist in ahmedabad-gurukul or Rajkot, we've got you covered. 

Our endocrine department is built with a team of the best endocrinologists in these regions to provide premium treatment and the best results.Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier future.

Your spine is a sophisticated structure of bones, joints, discs, and nerves. It serves two primary functions: providing the structural support that allows you to stand upright and move, and encasing the delicate spinal cord that transmits messages between your brain and body.

In modern life, activities like prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, or poor posture place sustained stress on the spine's components. With time, this can lead to discomfort, stiffness, and vulnerability to injury.

The key to long-term spinal health is not avoidance of movement, but rather the cultivation of a strong, adaptive, and well-aligned support system. A spine is protected by the muscles that surround it. This article outlines a targeted exercise approach focused on three pillars, stability, mobility, and posture, to build this natural defense and maintain a resilient, pain-free back.

The Three Pillars of Spinal Resilience

A healthy spine requires a balance of strength and flexibility. We can break this down into three essential attributes:

• Core Stability: This refers to more than just the abdominal "six-pack" muscles. The core is a 360-degree network of muscles in your abdomen, lower back, and glutes. When strong and engaged, these muscles form a natural "corset" that braces the spine, distributing loads evenly and protecting the vertebrae and discs from excessive strain.
• Spinal Mobility and Flexibility: Your spine is designed to move—bending forward (flexion), arching back (extension), and twisting (rotation). At the same time, the muscles and joints that connect to the spine, particularly the hips and hamstrings, must be flexible. Stiff hips or tight hamstrings often force the lower back to compensate by moving excessively, which is a common source of strain.
• Postural Awareness: Posture is the foundational alignment of your body. This includes "static" posture (how you hold yourself when sitting or standing) and "dynamic" posture (how you maintain alignment while moving, bending, or lifting). Correct posture minimizes stress by keeping the spine in a neutral, efficient position.

Foundational Exercises for a Healthy Back

The following exercises are low-impact and designed to build the three pillars of spinal health. Focus on slow, controlled movements.

Movements for Core Stability

• Bridge: This exercise strengthens the glutes and back muscles, which support the lower spine.
• How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor hip-width apart, and arms by your sides. Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly lower your hips back down.
• Bird-Dog: This movement teaches the core to remain stable and the spine to stay neutral while your limbs are in motion.
• How to: Start on your hands & knees, with your hands directly under your shoulders & knees under your hips. Engage your abdominal muscles to keep your back flat. Slowly extend your right arm straight forward & your left leg straight back, keeping your hips level. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then slowly return to the start. Repeat with the opposite arm and leg.
• Partial Crunch: A full sit-up can pull on the neck and round the back excessively. The partial crunch strengthens the abdominal muscles with less spinal stress.
• How to: Begin by lying supine (face-up) with your feet grounded and your knees angled upward. For stability, you can interlace your fingers behind your head or cross your arms over your sternum. Initiate the movement by contracting your abdominal muscles. Keeping your lumbar spine anchored to the floor, lift your upper body—head and shoulders included —just until your shoulder blades clear the mat. Hold the peak contraction briefly before returning to the floor with a controlled motion.

Movements for Mobility and Flexibility

• Cat-Cow: This dynamic stretch gently moves the spine through flexion and extension, improving mobility and releasing tension.
• How to: Adopt a tabletop position, aligning your shoulders directly over your wrists and your hips over your knees. Begin by taking a deep breath in. As you inhale, allow your abdomen to sink toward the ground, simultaneously lifting your tailbone and gazing upward to create a gentle arch in your back (cow pose). Next, expel the air completely. While exhaling, draw your navel firmly toward your spine, rounding your back toward the ceiling like a stretching cat. Tuck your chin down toward your chest (cat pose). Continue to flow smoothly and mindfully between these two postures, coordinating each movement with the rhythm of your breath.
• Knee-to-Chest Stretch: This action releases tension in the lower back and glutes, which can become tight from sitting.
• How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent. Gently bring one knee up and pull it toward your chest with your hands, holding for 20-30 seconds. Feel the gentle stretch in your lower back and hip. Lower the leg, then repeat on the other side.
• Child's Pose: This is a resting pose that actively elongates, decompresses, and relieves tension along the entire length of the spine.
• How to: Start on your hands and knees. Sit back so your glutes rest on your heels. Fold forward, resting your torso on your thighs and your forehead on the floor. Reach your arms out long in front of you. Breathe deeply, feeling the stretch in your back.

Movements for Posture and Alignment

• Hamstring Stretch: Tight hamstrings (the muscles on the back of your thighs) pull on the pelvis, which can flatten the natural curve of your lower back and cause strain.
• How to: Lie on your back with both knees bent. Lift one leg and loop a towel around your foot (or hold the back of your thigh). Slowly straighten this leg toward the ceiling until you feel a gentle stretch. Keep your back flat on the floor. Hold for 20-30 seconds and switch legs.
• Press-up Back Extension: This movement counters the forward-flexed posture of sitting and helps restore the natural extension curve in your lower back.
• How to: Lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders, palms flat. Keeping your hips on the floor, use your back muscles (and assist with your arms) to press your upper body—head, chest, and shoulders—off the floor. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then slowly lower. Only go as high as is comfortable.

Beyond the Mat: Integrating Spine Health into Daily Life

Exercises are only part of the solution. How you move all day matters.

• Conscious Posture: When sitting, ensure your feet are flat on the floor, keep your shoulders back and relaxed, and avoid slouching. Your hips should be level with or slightly higher than your knees. When standing, distribute your weight evenly on both feet and stand tall, with your head balanced over your spine.
• Safe Lifting Mechanics: To protect your back, master the "hip hinge." When lifting an object, bend at your hips and knees, not your waist. Keep your back straight, engage your core, and drive up with your legs and glutes, keeping the object close to your body.
• Low-Impact Aerobic Activity: Activities like walking and swimming increase blood flow throughout the body. This enhanced circulation delivers oxygen & vital nutrients to the tissues and discs in your spine, keeping them nourished and healthy.

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Better Health Across Gujarat

Sterling Hospital has proven itself to provide the best orthopedic hospital in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Rajkot. We provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to healthy bones and joints. If you are looking for the best orthopedic doctor in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhidham,  we've got you. Safeguard your bone health and contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier life.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is  reduced or interrupted. This deprives brain tissue of essential oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to begin to die within minutes.

Immediate treatment is critical. Early action can reduce brain damage and prevent potential long-term disability or death.

The Main Types of Stroke

• Ischemic Stroke: It happens when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked or plugged, often by a blood clot. These clots can form in arteries damaged by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) or travel from other parts of the body, such as the heart.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type occurs when a blood vessel within or on the surface of the brain leaks or ruptures (bursts). This causes bleeding into the brain tissue or the surrounding spaces, which puts excessive pressure on brain cells and damages them. Causes include uncontrolled high blood pressure, aneurysms (bulges in a vessel wall), or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which are irregular tangles of blood vessels.

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke," is a related condition. It involves a temporary period of stroke-like symptoms caused by a brief decrease in blood supply to the brain. While a TIA doesn't typically cause permanent damage, it serves as a serious warning sign that a major stroke may be imminent.

Recognizing the Symptoms: Act F.A.S.T.

Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. Recognizing them is the first step to getting life-saving help. The F.A.S.T. acronym is a simple way to remember the key signs:

• F - Face: Ask the individual to smile. Check if one side of their mouth or face sags or appears uneven.
• A - Arms: Instruct the person to lift both arms in front of them. Observe if one arm lowers involuntarily or is incapable of being raised fully.
• S - Speech: Ask them to repeat a very basic sentence. Listen for speech that sounds thick, slurred, or odd. Also, note if they have trouble comprehending instructions.
• T - Time:  If you observe any single one of these warning signs, treat it as a medical emergency.

Other sudden symptoms to watch for include:

• Unexplained weakness or numbness in the limbs or face, particularly when these symptoms manifest only on one half of the body.
• Confusion.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, such as sudden blurred or blackened vision.
• Dizziness, or a loss of balance & coordination.
• A severe headache with no known cause, which may be accompanied by vomiting or dizziness.

Understanding the Causes and Risk Factors

While the direct causes are a clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic), numerous risk factors increase the likelihood of a stroke. These factors are categorized as controllable or uncontrollable.

Controllable (Modifiable) Risk Factors: These are factors you can manage with lifestyle changes or medical treatment.

• Medical Conditions:
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): This is the single most significant risk factor for stroke.
• High Cholesterol: Can lead to the buildup of plaque in arteries.
• Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes damages blood vessels over time.
• Heart Conditions: Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), heart defects, and other heart diseases can create clots.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder that can raise blood pressure.
• Lifestyle Factors:
• Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
• Physical Inactivity: Lack of exercise contributes to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium can raise cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Heavy Alcohol Use: Can increase blood pressure.
• Use of Illegal Drugs: Drugs like cocaine can narrow arteries.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors:

• Age: The risk of stroke increases as you get older.
• Family History: A personal or family history of stroke, heart attack, or TIA increases your risk.
• Race and Ethnicity: Some groups, such as African Americans, have a higher risk of stroke.
• Sex: Men have a slightly higher risk of stroke than women, though women are often older when they have strokes and are more likely to die from them.
• Hormones: The use of estrogen-containing birth control pills or hormone therapies can increase risk.

How a Stroke is Diagnosed

In an emergency setting, a medical team will work quickly to determine the type of stroke. This involves:

• Physical and Neurological Exam: Checking mental alertness, coordination, balance, vision, speech, and for weakness or numbness.
• Brain Imaging: A Computerized Tomography (CT) scan is often done first. It can quickly show bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) or damage from an ischemic stroke. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan provides a more detailed image of brain tissue and can detect damage earlier than a CT.
• Other Tests: A carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to check for plaque buildup in the neck arteries. An echocardiogram can create images of the heart to find a source of clots. Blood tests are also performed.

Treatment

The treatment for a stroke depends entirely on its type.

For an Ischemic Stroke: The goal is to restore blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible.

• IV Medicines: An injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the gold standard. This clot-busting drug must be given within 3 to 4.5 hours of when symptoms started.
• Endovascular Procedures: These are performed directly inside the blocked vessel. A mechanical thrombectomy involves a surgeon threading a catheter to the clot and using a device (a stent retriever) to pull it out. This can be effective up to 24 hours after symptom onset in certain cases.

For a Hemorrhagic Stroke: The goal is to control the bleeding and reduce pressure on the brain.

• Medication: Drugs are given to lower blood pressure, counteract blood thinners, and prevent seizures or blood vessel spasms.
• Surgery: If the bleeding is severe, surgery may be needed to remove the blood and relieve pressure. If the stroke was caused by a ruptured aneurysm, a surgeon may perform:
• Surgical Clipping: A tiny clamp is placed at the base of the aneurysm.
• Coiling (Endovascular Embolization): Tiny coils are placed inside the aneurysm via a catheter to block blood flow and cause clotting.

Recovery and Prevention

Recovery from a stroke, known as rehabilitation, is a critical part of the process and often begins in the hospital. The goal is to regain skills and independence. This may involve:

• Physical Therapy to regain strength, balance, and movement.
• Occupational Therapy to relearn daily activities like eating, dressing, and writing.
• Speech Therapy to help with language, speaking, and swallowing.

The best way to manage stroke is to prevent one. Controlling your modifiable risk factors is the most effective strategy. This includes managing high blood pressure, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, & managing conditions like diabetes and atrial fibrillation.

​A Complete Spectrum of Emergency Medical Services

Sterling Hospital delivers rapid, specialized emergency care through a well-structured response system designed to meet critical medical needs. The emergency department is equipped to manage severe trauma from accidents and injuries, deploying experienced medical teams for immediate intervention in complex cases.

The hospital excels in treating acute cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarctions and cardiac rhythm disturbances, using advanced diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatment protocols to ensure timely care.

Neurological emergencies are addressed with prompt evaluation and targeted treatment strategies aimed at minimizing long-term damage. The emergency team is also trained to manage a wide range of urgent medical conditions with swift stabilization and appropriate clinical management.

Enhancing this care pathway are Sterling’s specialized critical care units, which are staffed around the clock by intensivists and physicians certified in critical care medicine. These units combine expert supervision with state-of-the-art life support systems and continuous monitoring to create the best possible outcomes for patients in life-threatening conditions.