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Kauvery bids September adieu with the warm satisfaction of more momentous events that keep us at the forefront.

Since its inception, Kauvery has established itself as the only hospital in Chennai offering complete care to the elderly citizens through its comprehensive geriatric care services. Located as it is, in the midst of a densely populated residential neighbourhood, we realise the need for a state-of-the-art paediatric facility and have taken steps to establish a world-class Paediatric Department under the leadership of Dr N Prahalad, who has joined Kauvery as a full-time paediatrician. The Paediatric ward was inaugurated by Dr Sarala Rajajee, Senior Consultant in Paediatric Immunology and Haematology. In short, Kauvery lives up to its name of a multispecialty hospital offering services from paediatrics to geriatrics.

Cataract is a common occurrence amongst the seniors. To optimise the geriatric services under one roof, the Ophthalmology Department was inaugurated by Dr Prithikachary (Senior Neurologist and Neurosurgeon) and will be headed by Dr Anil Chandra, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Kauvery has also opened a new Operation Theatre for emergency surgeries for needy patients.

Pharmacist day was celebrated on 25th Sep 2015 with a cake distributed to patients and staff. This day holds the beacon to pharmacies and the positive benefits they offer in the health industry.

The 3rd health camp was conducted successfully at Nellore, attended by hundreds of patients who benefited from the succour and attention provided by our team of doctors.

Another looming issue in the city is Dengue. I request you to take preventive measures and in case of fever, to consult your physician without delay.

Kauvery steps into October with renewed zeal in its mission to go beyond curing, into healing – beyond the treatment of physical symptoms to an integrative restoration that includes mental and emotional well being. I thank you all for your continued support to our efforts to make a healthy change in our lives.

Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, MBBS, MS Ortho, D Ortho (London), FRCS (Ireland), FRCS Ortho (UK/Ireland)
Executive Director & Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon

Ask The Doctor

Doctor could you please help me understand the significance of my HbA1c test?

The HB in HbA1c refers to glycosylated haemoglobin or glycated haemoglobin. This condition develops when glucose present in the blood attaches itself to the protein in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. The combining of each glucose molecule with the protein, is directly proportional to the total amount of glucose present, in the patient’s system, at the time of drawing, of the blood.

Measuring the HbA1c levels in your blood, helps you / your treating doctor to understand what the average glucose levels in your blood, for the past few weeks / over a period of 3 months, generally are.

This test provides an accurate, long term average measurement of blood sugar control. Since blood cells survive about 10 weeks before they are regenerated, this test is performed once in 3 months.

When the HbA1c levels are high, this gives off warning signals, as the higher the HbA1c, the higher the risk of the patient developing complications that normally arise because of constant high sugar levels.

When the HbA1c results fall in any one of the following indicators, it signifies:

• 4-5.9% - means good control, for people without diabetes.
• 6.5% - means good control for people with diabetes.
• 7.5% - is again considered to be alright, especially if the diabetic person is prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
• Anything beyond 7.5% means the diabetic person is open to risks of complications and this is a forewarning.

The possible complications that can rise out of constant high blood glucose levels are:

• Nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease)
• Retinopathy (damage to the retina)
• Neuropathy (damage to the nervous system)

Checking your blood sugar levels on a daily basis is important, for some it is necessary to do so before every meal, so as to understand which foods help you control your sugar levels and which don’t.

I am 60 years old female, post menopausal and I have mild back pain. I am worried about weakening of bones and fracture. Is there any simple test which can detect this?

Weakening of bones is commonly due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break. DEXA is today's established gold standard test for measuring bone mineral density (BMD).

DEXA test can also assess an individual's risk for developing fractures. The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures and life style issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These factors are taken into consideration when deciding if a patient needs therapy.

DEXA Scan is recommended in:

• Post-menopausal women not taking estrogen.
• Personal or maternal history of hip fracture or smoking.
• Post-menopausal women who are tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds).
• Men with clinical conditions associated with bone loss.
• Use of medications that are known to cause bone loss, including corticosteroids such as Prednisone, various anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and certain barbiturates, or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs.
• Those suffering from type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or a family history of osteoporosis.
• Patients with high bone turnover, hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism.
• History of fracture after only mild trauma.
• Patients with x-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis.

The scan takes around 20 minutes of time and no special preparation is necessary for the scan. In addition to the bone mineral density report, a fracture risk assessment is also done using FRAX tool. The radiation associated with a DEXA scan is very minimal at around 0.0002 mSv which is well below the background radiation (2 mSv).

EVENTS OF THE PAST MONTH

World Heart Day 2015 - "Save the Heart" initiative by Kauvery Hospital

World Heart Day 2015 was celebrated by Kauvery Hospital on 29/09/2015. As part of the celebration "Save the Heart" initiative was conducted by displaying placards with Heart Day slogans at Luz Church Road junction. A free camp (BP and Sugar Tests) was conducted at Besant Nagar beach early in the morning as well. Free apples were distributed and more than 150 people participated in this free camp.

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Inauguration of Kauvery Eye Centre

Kauvery Eye Centre, a centre for excellence in cataract surgery was inaugurated at the 2nd Floor of Kauvery Hospital on 23/09/2015 by Dr.Prithikachary, Senior Neurologist & NeuroSurgeon, Kauvery Hospital. Other services provided by the centre include refractive surgery, anterior segment surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases. The centre is headed by Dr Anil Chandra, Senior Consultant Ophtholmologist.

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Inauguration of Paediatric Ward

Paediatric Ward was was inaugurated at the 2nd Floor of Kauvery Hospital on 23/09/2015 by Dr.Sarala Rajajee, Senior Paediatric Haemologist & Immunologist, Kauvery Hospital. The paediatric department is headed by Dr N Prahalad, Senior consultant paediatrician and nephrologist.

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General Health Check-up Camps

Dignity Foundation and Kauvery Hospital conducted general health check-up camps at Kanaki Nagar on 05/09/2015 and at Saidapet on 06/09/2015. Hundreds of people attended the camp and got benefitted.

Recipe Corner

Vegetable Pepper Bowls

Capsicum or Peppers are one of the most versatile vegetables. You can use them in curries, in fried rice, pulaos, in salads and as stuffed bowls. The stuffing could be cooked or used as a salad. Whichever way you use it, it is delicious and colorful. Capsicums come in four different colors – Green, Red, Yellow and Orange and each color gives off a different flavor.

Capsicum contains small levels of capsaicin, an alkaloid compound, which has anti-bacterial , anti-carcinogenic analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. They are also a rich source of Vitamin C, A, Vitamin B complex and minerals such as manganese, potassium, selenium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron.

Nutritional Value in this Recipe: Per serving – 342 calories; Carbohydrate – 8g, fat – 11g, sodium 46g, fiber 17g, cholesterol – 550mg.

Ingredients:

• Green, Red, Orange, Yellow Capsicum or Peppers – 6 medium size
• Potatoes – 4 medium size
• Onion – 1 small finely diced or ¾ cup of finely diced onions
• Green Peas – ½ cup fresh (can substitute with black cow peas / karamani)
• Carrots – 1 finely chopped
• Green beans – 10 finely chopped
• Jeera – ½ tsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Red chili powder – ¼ tsp
• Garam Masala – ¼ tsp
• Ginger / Garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Corn Flour – 1 cup
• Oil (Refined) – 1 cup

Preparation:

1. Wash the capsicum and cut open at the top. Remove all the seeds and white soft layers from within the capsicum and discard. Arrange the capsicum shells on a plate and set aside.

2. In a pot, boil potatoes with water. Once cooked, peel and mash. Set aside.

3. Place a Karai on the stove (low heat). Add 2 tablespoons of Oil.

4. Once the oil is a bit hot, add the diced onions and sauté, until the onions turn pink or translucent.

5. Add the carrots, peas, and beans.

6. Add the Jeera, Turmeric, Chilie and Garam masala powders. Add in the salt.

7. Stir in the Ginger / Garlic paste and sauté for 5 minutes.

8. Once the vegetables are half done, stir in the mashed potatoes, mix and remove from the stove.

9. Next in a small bowl, mix just enough water to make a thick paste of the corn flour.

10. Using a teaspoon or tablespoon, ladle the vegetable mix into the capsicum bowls.

11. Once the vegetables are filled to the brim, cover each capsicum with the corn flour paste to seal in the vegetables.

12. In a Karai, pour in oil for shallow frying. Take each capsicum bowl filled with vegetables and gently fry it in the shallow oil, until the capsicum is cooked.

Serve as a side dish with dal and rice or any other curry / curd and rice. Non-vegetarians can substitute the beans with minced meat (beef, lamb or mutton) of their choice.