This morning my weight-lifting partner Dave and I were finishing off our workout with some much needed cardio. We were on two StairMaster machines that happened to be side by side at the gym. As we climbed, we watched the news on several TV screens in front of us. The topic that kept coming up over and over again was healthcare reform. I literally watched one commentator actually laugh at the plans that were being discussed in Washington. According to the media, this commentator was a healthcare expert, but he couldn't seem to make heads or tails of any of it. He mentioned that "putting a cap on the charitable donations tax exemption" was in one of the plans and that "putting a cap on the amount of healthcare benefits that could be offered by employers" was in another. Do either of those things seem like a good start to you?

A 14 year old girl from Uganda who came to India with a dilating heart showing signs of heart failure has undergone a complicated open heart surgery at Wockhardt Hospitals. The cardiac team at Wockhardt Hospitals led by Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardio Thoracic Surgeon performed risky and complicated open heart procedure to replace the mitral valve, repair a leaking tricuspid valve and maze procedure to correct her abnormal heart rhythm.

Abigail Kanyonyozi was brought to Wockhardt Hospitals when she was on the brink of heart failure. Abigail was diagnosed to have a blood cancer called acute myeloid leukaemia in 2000 and Lynda's saga of her fight for her daughter began. Abigail had undergone a prolonged and expensive treatment in South Africa for her blood cancer. This led Lynda (her mother) exhaust her all finances to bring Abigail back to normal life. After few years of fully recovering from her blood cancer Abigail was diagnosed with heart disease called dolurebecin cardio myopathy which dilates the heart resulting in cardiac failure.

69 year old Mr. Ramgopal Mundhra who underwent bilateral knee replacement at Wockhardt Hospitals 10 months ago, completed 5 kilometer Majja Run in the recently concluded Bangalore Marathon. Mr. Mundhra, a businessman from Bangalore, was suffering from pain in both his knees for the past 20 years and in the last two years had lost complete mobility and was unable to even complete the simple chores of daily life without assistance.

Mr. Mundhra consulted Dr. Sanjay Pai, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon Wockhardt Hospitals and was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in both his Knees and was advised to undergo a total knee replacement. He underwent bilateral knee replacement within a span 2 days, post which he went through a comprehensive rehabilitation program. His recovery was remarkable and at the time of his discharge he was able to walk with the help of a walker. Not only this Mr. Mundhra started driving on the 5th week of his surgery and on the 6th week he was able to swim.

I live in Memphis, TN and having serious trouble finding a Neurologist who is worth anything!  My daughter has complex migraines and we have been to at least 4 dr and talked to at least 3; and so far, nobody is giving us any hope.

 
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that begins in any part of the urinary system, from the kidneys, to the ureters or bladder and urethra. Women tend to be at greater risk of UTI and are generally prescribed antiboiotic treatment, which in some cases can lead to recurrent infections due to increasingly resistant bacteria. There are, however, natural remedies for UTI that could prevent the need to antibiotic treatment.

Urine is generally a sterile fluid and infection will only occur when there is an introduction of outside bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes about 80% of urinary tract infections in adults and can be diagnosed through urinalyisis and culture performed by your physician.
Not everyone experiences symptoms with a UTI, but general symptoms can include:

• A strong urge to urinate
  
• A burning sensation with urination
  
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
  
• Flank or back pain
  
• Lower abdomen discomfort or pressure
  
• Fever
  
• Blood in the urine (hematuria) or cloudy, unusual smelling urine
  
• Bacteria in the urine (bacteriuria)

Primarily, treatment should include disinfection and alkalinizaiton of the urinary tract. Many have heard of the use of cranberry juice for treatment of UTI and in a great number of cases this can be beneficial. Cranberry juice (the un-sweetened kind, not Ocean-Spray) and blueberry juice (un-sweetened) have anti-septic properties that can prevent the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. More specifically, cranberry juice prevents the attachment of bacteria to the walls of the urinary tract. Freeze-dried cranberry capsules can also be taken as a supplement.

Wockhardt Hospitals sets yet another benchmark in Cardiac Surgery: Performs Minimal Access Endoscopic Mitral Valve Replacement

 

Wockhardt Hospitals sets yet another benchmark in Cardiac Surgery: 11 month Orissa baby undergoes Double switch heart surgery to get a new life at Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore

 

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are as usual a hot topic in the natural food and natural medicine world. But what are GMO's and why should the general population be concerned about them?

GMO is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides, drought tolerance, pest resistance, ect. For this reason, GMO's have gained popularity in the farming community. The down side is the effects that GMO's have on the human population and other organisms.

The dangers associated with eating GM foods are increased allergenicity, increased toxins, carcinogens, the formation of new diseases, antibiotic-resistant diseases and nutritional problems. Food allergies are on the rise, soy allergies in particular have sky rocketed by 50% in the UK after GM soy was introduced there.

Milk from rBGH-treated cows contains an increased amount of the hormone IGF-1, which is one of the highest risk factors associated with breast and prostate cancer.

One would believe that before GM foods were FDA approved, several research studies would have proven GM foods to be safe. Unfortunately, the only feeding study done with humans showed that GMOs survived inside the stomach of the people eating GMO food. No follow-up studies were done.

Various feeding studies in animals have resulted in potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, and testicles, partial atrophy or increased density of the liver, odd shaped cell nuclei and other unexplained anomalies, false pregnancies and higher death rates.

Soy, cotton, canola, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, zucchini and yellow squash are currently commercialized GM crops in the US. Other GM products include: dairy from cows injected with rbGH, food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and processing agents, including the sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet®), meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals that have eaten GM feed.

I urge all of you to really take a look at what you are eating. 60-70% of the food in the US contains GM ingredients and the FDA currently does not require it to be labled as GMO (although President Obama did make a campaign promise that he would change this). Print out the "Non-GMO Shopping Guide" and do what to can avoid these genetically modified foods.

References: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

Lakeshore Wellness Center: Naturopathic Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in Chicago.
http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com/

Looking for the Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon?  Dr. Gunter and Dr. Cochran are  top rhinoplasty surgeons in the US and have dedicated their practice exclusively to rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty related procedures. Visit their official rhinoplasty website, http://rhinoplasty-usa.com  for more information.

It still astonishes me that even with all the information we have regarding the use of artificial sweeteners and soda in general, that I still see many individuals continuing to drink Diet Soda Beverages. I know that the fact that these beverages contains zero calories is a big draw for many to drink the products....truly believing that they will have no impact on weight gain., but the truth of the matter is that diet soda beverages have never been shown scientifically to aid in weight loss and the negative impact of these beverages is indeed proven.

Diet Sodas may still cause WEIGHT GAIN

• Emerging research is showing that the consumption of sweet foods and drinks (even if artificially sweetened and non-caloric) increase our desire for sweets in general.