Category: health

New Normal in the Work Culture impacted Employee’s Mental Health

By Author: Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS India

In these difficult times, it is vital that businesses address the issue of mental health head-on, developing a sophisticated mental wellness strategy to fulfil the duty of care responsibilities and help employees with their mental health resilience. Beyond the obvious positives implementing these strategies would have for employees, businesses have a direct interest in investing in creating a mental wellness program; according to data from International SOS’ recent Risk Outlook 2021, 1 in 3 risk professionals believe that mental health issues will contribute significantly to declining productivity levels this year. A business that supports employees appropriately will therefore likely be in a better, more productive place than one that does not.

Any discussion on mental wellbeing in the “New Normal” needs to begin with a universal understanding of what the term exactly means. Is it the WFH that employees had been suddenly thrust into in March 2020? OR is it the Return to Office that is now being permitted by State Governments (even up to 100% of employees in office)? OR is it the middle ground that organizations seem to be adopting – that of a hybrid work environment where employees spend only a few days in the office each week while continuing to WFH on other days?

For now, the changing definition of New Normal seems to rest at this Hybrid Work Model. A survey done by the BBC in UK showed that 55% of employees preferred hybrid working as it seemed the best way forward.

Working from home was a big change for many people in both positive and negative ways. It brought a sense of loneliness for those who liked working at the office, and contrastingly, a sense of comfort for those who struggled with social anxiety at work.

People thrive on working based on a routine, and once that routine gets disrupted it can cause a lot of distress for some individuals. It is said that any habit takes 3 weeks to form – with 550-plus days of WFH, changing the status quo suddenly is likely to lead to employees feeling anxious and scrambling to set up alternate arrangements to manage the work-life situation. From worries about re-engaging help to look after children and elder parents (at a time when vaccination rates, through growing are not optimal) to fear for their own safety during commuting, while at the office or cafeteria and bringing home the dreaded virus as a consequence, many are reporting increased levels of stress.

Work-related travel is another area of concern for employees – from the fear of contracting an infection while travelling to the fear of sudden border closures, changing entry requirements, hotel/institutional quarantine in a different country, new variants in the countries of travel etc.

Many employees may have already suffered from COVID-19 and may be among those sufferers who experience symptoms well beyond the usual 4 weeks – the dreaded LONG-COVID – with easy fatiguability, body aches, lethargy & confusion (Brain Fog), decreased appetite, insomnia and resulting depression.

The signs may already be there for smart managers to see – employees working late hours, answering emails after work hours and even while on leave to show their constant connectivity to work despite being away from the office (leading to fatigue and burnouts), suddenly no longer switching on their webcams to remain inconspicuous and fly under the radar (avoidance). Some employees could worry about being sidelined if they choose to continue WFH while their colleagues return to the office (alienation).

A tremendous amount of resulting unseen and unrecognized stress exists on account of the pandemic and its resulting effect on work. A recent study by a leading professional social networking site showed that 1 in 3 professionals in India was feeling the effects of burnout. It is well known that global events have the ability to cause long term health effects, especially psychological. The 9/11 attacks happened in 2001 and yet, in 2015, a study involving 36000 New Yorkers found that 15% continued to suffer from depression and 14% had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Today, many employees are having to deal with the mental, social and physical aftermath of COVID-19 and employers will need to manage employees who may have had COVID-19, may have lost dear ones or may have had serious side effects due to the virus.

To foster business productivity and fulfil Duty of Care in a sustained way, organisations need to also understand how they can protect the mental health and physical wellbeing of their employees

• Adequate training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of work-related anxiety needs to be imparted to all people managers
• Ensuring the availability of support services for employees who appear to be in distress
• Reassurance to employees that their health and wellbeing is paramount – demonstration of an organization’s commitment by way of having a robust Return-To-Office plan with screening protocols, workplace zoning, distancing, masking, sanitizing precautions will go a long way
• Having a plan to manage someone found symptomatic / COVOD-19 positive at work is essential
• Limiting travel to absolutely essential travel with adequate time provided for rest and exercise would help as would training on handling travel-related stress
• An open channel of communication between employees and managers will bring forth concerns that need to and can be addressed

The human mind finds comfort in routine. Disruption of routine causes uncertainty. The fear of COVID-19 is real. Fear and uncertainty fuel anxiety. The only way organizations can get their employee populations to adapt to and manage change is to develop organisational resilience that percolates into each and every employee. This will ensure business continuity and continued productivity to help individuals and organizations emerge successful in the face of the challenging odds that the pandemic has wrought upon the world.

MVS Engineering installs onsite Oxygen Generation Plant for Hyderabad’s Kamineni Hospital

Hyderabad, 22nd October: With an eye on bolstering Hyderabad’s oxygen preparedness as well as firming up its Covid fightback, MVS Engineering, India’s leading onsite oxygen generation solutions provider has set up an onsite oxygen generation plant at Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, one of the most prominent hospitals in the city.

Possessing a capacity of 500 LPM, it has been calculated that the MVS plant will sufficiently supply lifesaving oxygen to around 100 hospital beds in the hospital. So far, the hospital’s oxygen supplies had hinged on reserves of liquid oxygen tanks and cylinders kept on standby. Notably, this is the first onsite oxygen generation plant at any of the hospitals belonging to the Kamineni group. In fact, MVS Engineering and Kamineni group are in discussions over the installation of more of such plants.

“Even as there is no definitive end to the Covid-19 menace till now notwithstanding the increased vaccination coverage, the enduring importance of lifesaving oxygen not only for patients but also other patients suffering from respiratory and other related conditions can never be denied. We all remember how the city of Hyderabad and other places in the region had reportedly faced shortages of oxygen during the devastating second wave. With the installation of this plant at the hospital, a small but timely step has been taken by the Kamineni Group to augment and indeed ensure that unfailing, reliable, and indeed foolproof supplies of oxygen is available at all times to the thousands of patients who come to their hospital for treatment, said Siddharth Rastogi, Executive Director at MVS Engineering Pvt Ltd.

At the same time, we would also like to express our appreciation of the hospital administration and authorities for having extended full cooperation in terms of the logistics, permissions, and other related requirements essential to the installation and commissioning of such a plant. We are hopeful that MVS Engineering and the Kamineni Group will continue to work together with each other and many similar plants or even of higher capacity would be installed at other Kamineni hospitals in the coming future, he added.

“The last one and half years have certainly been a sort of a test of the entire healthcare community with respect to the delivery of care to our patients. And no one can dispute the role of guaranteed oxygen supplies in a time of a pandemic wherein the virus mainly affects respiratory and breathing systems. While oxygen cylinders and tanks also do serve the needs of patients, a sudden breakdown in supply even for a few minutes or an erratic supply for a short period can mean the difference between life and death for a patient. And so, it was but natural that we decided to have an onsite oxygen generation plant within the premises of the hospital. And when it came to choosing of a vendor, we had no doubt who to approach since the reputation of MVS Engineering well preceded them for their onsite gas technology expertise and experience. What’s more, their impeccable post-installation maintenance and service support will make sure that we continue to serve the needs of our patients now with 100% guaranteed oxygen availability at our hospital. Although the third wave has not really shown up as yet, we must remember that Covid-19 has not gone away, said Mr. N. Mohana Rao, Head Public Relations, Kamineni Hospitals.

How to keep your heart young post-30s

By Dr. Praveen Jacob, Senior Consultant, TheLifekart.in.

As you age the chances of contracting cardiovascular issues become high. Instead of just assuming that you have no other way to strengthen your heart health, there is a lot you can do to keep the cardiovascular issues at bay no matter how old you are.

Here are some of the ways you can keep your heart young:

Consume squalene

Squalene is present in small amounts in the human body. Newborns show the highest amount of squalene in their blood with this amount rapidly decreasing over the years. This concentration of Squalene in the blood drops drastically between the ages of 30 and 40. But don’t worry. Olives are the richest source of squalene. Squalene can also be found in oil extracted from Amaranthus sp. Amaranthus. This is a pseudo-grain having seeds and leaves with great content of oil for a cereal. Squalene has the capacity to increase good cholesterol (HDL) and to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL). Even O2Live capsules are one of the prominent supplements of squalene. The gel capsules have 100 percent squalene in them.

Exercise regularly for staying active

Physical activities are crucial for overall health. Start doing aerobic exercise or strength training which will help you lose weight. It is recommended to opt for an aerobic activity like brisk walking, jogging for at least 150 minutes a week. Likewise, one should opt for strength training exercises at least twice a week. Before starting up any fitness regime, it’s recommended to speak to the doctor first as he would be able to suggest the best exercises for you. Make sure that you are keeping your body well hydrated before, during, and after exercise.

Inculcate good eating habits

One must eat properly to maintain a healthy weight and watch your calorie intake. So, to lower calories without skimping on nutrition, pay attention to what you’re eating and drinking. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains particularly those that are less processed and loaded with fiber. A plant-based diet is healthier than other options. Try opting for legumes, nuts, soy, fish, and low-fat dairy products. Cutting down on red meat, or chicken can be a good idea. Limit your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages like soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, flavoured water, and tea and coffee. Furthermore, other foods like cookies, pies, cakes, doughnuts, ice cream, and candy can also be the culprits that may cause weight gain.

Schedule regular check-ups with the doctor

Your primary care physician can help you schedule regular check-ups. During these sessions, bring all of your medications and ask questions about them. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to your physician if you aren’t able to understand anything. Talk to your doctor about what conditions including diabetes and hypertension are most likely to affect you.

Overuse Of Steroids In Corona Treatment Can Also Lead To Osteoporosis

Pune: Low-bone density is a commonly seen problem in the 18-40 group. There are certain conditions like osteoporosis that is thinning of the bones where low bone density is seen. Some factors like taking chemotherapy, steroids use during Covid treatment, family history of osteoporosis, no physical activity, and smoking can give a tough time to your bones. So, embrace a healthy lifestyle to maintain stronger bones.

Dr. Anand Jadhav, Orthopedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospital Pune Said, “Strong bones can prevent various problems. Critical illness like osteoporosis is linked with loss of bone mineral density (BMD), lowering of bone mass, immobility, inflammation, and skeletal fragility leading to fractures of the spine, hip, or wrist. Osteoporosis is an under-diagnosed disease and causes higher morbidity and mortality rates, especially amongst the elderly. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is beneficial in measuring bone health. You will get to know your bone density or mass. It can tell whether you have normal bones, osteopenia (weak bones), or osteoporosis (weaker bones with increased risk of fractures)Single osteoporotic fracture raises your risk of second such fracture by 50 %. Two osteoporotic fractures anywhere in the body raise the risk of the third fracture by 80%.”

Dr. Jadhav added, “Covid infection causes viral infections, instability, and the use of steroids leads to bone brittleness and osteoporosis. It usually takes six to one year for the patients who get back on track from Covid-19. But, in the elderly, the problem persists. Therefore, bone mineral density (BMD) test is needed to check bone health after Covid-infection.”

Dr. Mayank Pathak, Orthopedic Surgeon Apollo Clinic Pune Said, “Low bone mass, not low enough to be labelled as osteoporosis, called osteopenia. Certain medications, Menopause, Old age, over weight conditions, and Inactive life style invites low bone mass problems. Not everyone with low bone mass may get osteoporosis. But these people are at a greater risk for it in the future. Women are far more likely to develop low bone density and osteoporosis when compared to men. Females have a lower peak bone density and because the loss of bone mass speeds up as hormonal changes during menopause. Eating disorders, chemotherapy, steroids, family history of osteoporosis, smoking, and drinking alcohol also increase the risk for low bone density and, ultimately osteoporosis. We are seeing sharp increase in the cases of low bone mass in young(18-40 years) individuals as they have low sun exposure, work from home, sedentary lifestyle, stress, drinking and smoking. ”

Dr. Jadhav Added, “Certain lifestyle changes reduce the risk of bone loss. Exercising can help in getting stronger bones. Opt for weight-bearing exercises such as walking, hiking, and dancing. Choose exercises with light weights or elastic bands for bone health. Do strength training under the guidance of the expert. Get your daily dose of calcium via milk, dairy products, green vegetables, and soybeans. Eat vitamin D-rich foods like sardines, salmon, and eggs. Expose yourself to the sun in the morning, and take calcium, vitamin D and anti-osteoporosis medications only after a doctor’s recommendation.”

“Dr. Mayank Pathak Added, Out of the patients who come to the outpatient department for treatment every day, 4 to 5 patients are diagnosed with this disease. About 30 to 40 percent of young people are diagnosed with the Osteoporosis disease. Exercise, seeds, whole legumes, nuts, protein and omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, exercise, limit smoking and alcohol. Avoid high-calorie diet, junk and processed foods to reduce your risk of bone loss. Take any medication only after consulting the doctor,”

Vedas Cure brings Natural Ayurvedic composition for young women planning to begin family

Vedas Cure, an online Ayurveda treatment centre, has come forward and launched a 100% Ayurvedic composition for young women planning to begin a family, but are battling with medical complications in conceiving naturally. The product Preg-Infert Care is designed to be useful in the treatment for Garbhashay Dosh, with no side effects. The naturally made powder composition is non-addictive and is recommended to be consumed with warm water two times a day. This naturally made composition is a certified product by the Uttarakhand Drug Authority and gives needed strength to uterus for safe and natural conceiving.

The composition is made up of 24 ayurvedic herbs, some of them being Shivling Beej, Putra Jivika beej, Ashok chhal, Peepal jatta,Bad Fal, Punarnava Mul, Khachnar Chhal, Makhoi Beech,Choti Peepal, Ashwagandha,Cloves(laung), Tulsi beej, Saunf,Giloy, Choti arahar,Brahmi, Shatafar,Kamal beej & Gulab. In present times, when couples facing issues of conceiving naturally are increasing, and going for expensive IVF treatments, the product by Vedas Cure is an affordable and effective solution with remarkable results.

Another pertinent product for women related issues which is curated by Vedas cure is ‘Breast Care’, formulated to improve the quality and quantity of mothers’ milk. This directly helps in providing appropriate nutrition to the babies. The Ayurvedic treatment centre has been treating women patients ever since its inception and one of their most effective products for the past 4 years has been PCOD care. The naturally made composition deals with issues of ovarian cyst, endometriosis, irregular periods etc.

Vikas Chawla, Founder and Director, Vedas Cure elaborates upon the treatment method with Preg-Infert care and said, “The treatment is common for all patients in the first phase as it begins with studying of previous medical records and prescribing the Vedas Cure Preg- Infert Care. Later on upon observing the effectiveness of powder composition medical experts suggests dietary and lifestyle changes as per the patients’ progress. It is highly recommended for couples planning to start a family but have been battling with health issues or disoriented lifestyle habits. Women’s health is least affected with no side effects and the results are expected to be fruitful like the PCOD care product which has satisfied hundreds of our customers.”

Disclaimer- For any kind of feedback/review on the product, kindly reach out to contact- +91-9015-100-300, email- info@vedascure.in

Free Ayurvedic Camp for Hemorrhoids and Ulcerative Colitis

Delhi: A three-day free Ayurvedic camp is being organized by Delhi-based Sushruta Ayurvedic Therapy Center from October 20 to 22 for the patients of major diseases like piles or piles disease and ulcerative colitis.

The timing of the camp will be from 10 am to 3 pm, in which the team of Ayurvedacharya doctors of the center will be there and the country’s well-known Ayurvedacharya and head of Canadian College of Ayurveda and Yoga, Dr. Harish Verma will participate in the online consultation and he will give the information about prevention of piles and ulcerative colitis. also he will tell the treatment of this disease.

Dr. Verma told that the corona period is going on, so it is mandatory for people to register in the camp. Helpline number 011-42445009 has also been issued for registration in the camp. Medicines for one month will also be given free of cost to the patients coming to the camp.

World Sight Day: ENTOD Pharmaceutical Organises Free Eye Check-up Camp

New Delhi, 18 October 2021 – On the occasion of World Sight Day, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals has conducted around 30 free eye check-up and cataract camps across different locations. Apart from offering free screenings to people, the campaign will raise awareness on the importance of eye health, diseases that can occur and even offer free medication samples to people.

Raising awareness about the importance of regular vision screening is crucial in India where poor vision affects nearly 550 million people and costs the economy US$37 billion every year in lost productivity. The situation is adversely impacted by low awareness regarding the seriousness of the issue and limited access to proper vision care, especially in rural areas. Cultural stigmas, misconceptions and myths surrounding glasses also prevent people from seeking the treatment they need.

Speaking about the initiative, Nikkhil K Masurkar, Executive Director of ENTOD Pharmaceutical said “Irrespective of how much you care for your eyes, there are times when you tend to miss certain symptoms which can lead to dry eye, red-eye, eye rashes or other eye problems. Though the minor problems can cause very little damage to the eyes, some can lead to vision loss, gradually. Keeping in mind the severity of the issue, we are conducting free eye check-up and cataract camps across different locations on the occasion of World Sight Day. ENTOD will be responsible for arranging the camps, providing necessary support to the doctors, arrange awareness or talk sessions and provide eye medicine samples to be delivered to the public for free. With the support of our 400 fellow workers on the ground for this latest campaign, we will ensure that more people attend the campaign and inform them of the importance of eye health and regular check-ups.”

There will be two types of camps to be organised for the event – OPD camp and cataract camp. While the OPD camp will be held for general eye diseases like glaucoma, dry eyes, red eyes, etc. the cataract camp will address the concerns of people who have eye issues like blurry vision which results from the formation of cataracts. Both government and private hospital ophthalmologists will be a part of the initiative.

“ Visual impairment deters the ability to perform daily tasks independently and the majority of the causes of visual impairment are treatable Sadly, awareness in the general public regarding early detection and prevention of eye diseases is very low. A significant number of people with blindness or visual impairment are above the age of fifty years, the most common causative factors being cataract, glaucoma refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy. Regular consultation with an ophthalmologist can identify the cause for visual impairment in time and timely intervention can help the patient get the vision back or at least prevent further loss of vision. With the help of the community outreach camps, we would like to spread awareness and knowledge regarding the common eye diseases . Such awareness programs could lead to better understanding and acceptance of the importance of routine eye examinations for the early detection and treatment of common eye diseases, thereby reducing visual impairment in the society” said Dr. Aarti Heda, Consultant Ophthalmologist (Pune) & Medical Consultant, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals

Apart from conducting eye check-up camps, to further spread the message on the importance of eye health, regular check-ups and precautions to be taken, ENTOD will be sharing video recordings from young ophthalmologists on their YouTube channel ‘Eye Health by ENTOD’ on World Sight Day. Young ophthalmologists will share their views on what needs to be done to avoid critical eye problems.Eye donation is another area of emphasis for ENTOD for which they have tied up with Dr S Natarajan (Padmashree Awardee and Director of Tele Ophthalmic Society of India) and created the website, Pledge My Eyes (https://www.pledgemyeyes.org/).

Rotary to launch Project Sumitra – Towards Use of Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Products

Hyderabad, October 16, 2021: The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan (RCHD, along with partner clubs to launch Project Sumitra tomorrow in the city . The project is aimed towards encouraging and facilitating use of sustainable menstrual hygiene product. The project targets better health, environment and livelihoods. The project will be announced on the eve of Girl Child Empowerment Day of Rotary International District 3150.

Under this project, Rotary District 3150 to get manufactured two products—01. Re-usable Cloth Sanitary Pads and 02. Sanitary cups. Both are biodegradable products. The launch will be announced in two functions to be held simultaneously on Sunday at Hyderabad Solitaire Global Schools, Attapur Branch, Sri Sai Janachaithanya Colony, Near Sunrise Valley, Upparpally, and also in Guntur.

The Project Sumitra aims to set up local production where local women will manufacture cloth pads.

Crash the supply chain costs to make safe and comfortable menstrual cups available at an affordable price. Train, equip and deploy trained Self-Help Groups to evangelise, teach & sell / distribute these products in local communities.

Made from organic and chemical free fabrics, reusable sanitary pads are safe and easy to use. Menstrual cups are made from 100% medical grade silicone and do not affect body’s PH while reducing risk of infection. Reusable products last for years and reduce the amount of landfill waste generated. Cloth pads are also easily compostable. Convenience and low costs of reusable products can also reduce period truancy in schools, colleges & workforce. Disposable products provide no benefit to the bottom of the pyramid – Reusable products are made and sold by women groups and distributed in the community by women and evangelists who become advisors. This network, built on personal connections and trust, is a powerful engine for future health and habit improvement initiatives.

It is a project of Rotary District 3150. The Rotary District along with the clubs will mobile self-help groups, train them to manufacture these sustainable products in mass scale and will also create employment for them in the process

Managing menstrual waste is a mammoth task. India has close to 12.3 billion disposble sanitary napkins to be taken care of every year. And majority of them are not biodegradable or compostable.

Of 336 million menstruating women in India, about 36% use single use disposable sanitary napkins – 12.3 billion pads annually – producing enormous menstrual waste. Bangalore, for example, alone produces approximately 90,000 kgs of sanitary waste per day. Indians pour Rs. 17,000 Cr annually on this environmentally terrible “necessity”. Importantly, disposable products are a veritable cornucopia of plastic – they cannot be recycled or reused, get dumped in landfills and will take 100’s of years to degrade and if burnt produce toxic dioxins & furans. Chemicals present in disposable napkins cause infections, rashes, and other health problems. They are also significantly costly.