Global Handwashing Day 2021

Importance of Handwashing in Maintaining Hygiene

13 Oct 2021 Health Checks ,
151 views

Washing hands regularly can be the biggest weapon against fighting chronic diseases like Typhoid, Cholera, and Pneumonia. It is the first step towards maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation and having clean hands.

Every year, Regency Medical Center celebrates 15th October as Global Handwashing Day to spread awareness about washing hands at the most critical times. Sanitizing hands with soap before eating food or touching your face is the simplest yet essential step to keep dangerous diseases at bay.

Why Handwashing Matters?

The COVID-19 outbreak has reinforced how important it is to wash your hands. Whenever you wash your hands, you protect yourself from germs. When you stop the spread of viruses at home, you protect your community from infection. You also protect your family from COVID-19 and other virus strains. Washing hands prevents illnesses without even realizing:

  • It’s a snowball effect that starts from washing hands, removing germs, preventing illnesses, and spreading an infection to others.
  • People often touch their face, eyes, and mouth absent-mindedly. Dirty hands can inject germs into your body through these pores and cause sickness.
  • Unwashed hands can also inject germs into the food and drinks while preparing. Some eatables and beverages can also multiply those germs, and when consumed, it can lead to illnesses.
  • Germs from your hands can travel to all the other places that you come in contact with. These include any public places like railings, tables, seats, and transfer the germs to others.
  • Regular washing of hands at frequent intervals can prevent stomach and respiratory problems and aid in staying away from any skin or eye infections.

Spreading awareness through global days can help make the community stay healthy and contribute to significant drops in sickness among people:

  • Educating about hand washing can reduce the number of people with Diarrhea by 23-40%.
  • People with low immunity can catch fewer Diarrheal diseases by 58%.
  • General sicknesses like cold and other breathing problems can reduce up to 16-21%.
  • School-going children can face fewer absences due to gastrointestinal problems by 29-57%.

Make Washing Your Hands Properly a Priority

Thorough handwashing after using the toilet, preparing or consuming food, coughing and sneezing, handling food, visiting others, using a tissue, and coming back home – can bring a lot of changes. Don’t touch your face if you haven’t gotten a chance to wash your hands when out. If you want to sneeze, it’s always a better idea to cover it with your elbow.

Make sure to wash hands in running water instead of standing water. Warm water helps in lathering up the soap better than cold water. However, too much use of hot water may also cause damage to skin cells over time. Using soap instead of water alone is recommended because it can remove more bacteria and organisms housing on your hands. Changing your soap might be helpful if it causes any irritation.

Handwashing Protects Young Children From the Diseases Caused by Germs

According to the WHO, Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death among almost 5000 children under 5 years of age every day. And the yearly deaths are around 1.8 million among children, with Diarrhea and Pneumonia being top contributors. Handwashing can help in many ways:

  • Using soap for washing hands helps in removing germs more effectively.
  • Awareness about the benefits of handwashing and easily accessible soap in schools can aid in increasing overall attendance.
  • Soap usage can protect at least 1 out of 3 young children suffering from Diarrhea, whereas, Pneumonia infection can go down in almost 1 out of 5.
  • Starting handwashing in earlier life stages can also contribute towards better child development.

Concluding Words

Antibiotic resistance that builds up in people due to medicines prescribed for common colds can be reduced by making handwashing a habit. Unnecessary antibiotics and overuse of them is the leading cause of developing antibiotic resistance. Handwashing alone is attributed to the prevention of almost 30% and 20% of Diarrheal and respiratory diseases, respectively.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer might be effective against some viruses but not gastroenteritis. The best way to avoid gastroenteritis is to wash your hands with soap and water. This is just one part of general hand hygiene. Looking after your skin is important, as it is your biggest barrier against infection. Creating healthy habits starts at your home, and handwashing is one of them.

Talk to our consultants today and book an appointment.

breast-cancer-awareness

Top 8 suggestions for Breast Cancer Prevention

12 Oct 2021 breast cancer awareness tips , ,
158 views

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month across the world. The rising cases of breast cancer in 2020 that saw more than 2 million women make it essential to keep symptoms in check. The risk of developing cancerous cells varies from person to person. While the term breast cancer can cause panic in mind, an early diagnosis and treatment at Regency Medical Center can increase the survival rate to 99% in the first five years.

Prevention of breast cancer begins by following some daily healthy habits. A few lifestyle changes can be implemented to reduce their risks and take a step forward to its prevention. When followed religiously, these preventative measures can bring a lot of impact on lives.

Keep a Check on your Weight

Having a healthy weight is always a better option for anyone. Women might have more chances of getting cancer through obesity after hitting menopause. And menopause is the stage where most women develop cancer cells in the breasts. Hence, keeping a check on weight becomes even more essential at that time. Aim for maintaining a Body Mass Index of 25 or lower.

Healthy Eating Can do Wonder

Everyone should follow a healthy diet. However, for women, it might be a little more essential. Make sure to have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables that can prove to be highly beneficial. Don’t forget to stay low on refined carbs, fatty foods, and sugary drinks. Instead, include lean protein like fish or chicken breast, consume whole grains, and opt for vegetable oils.

Exercise Regularly

Starting physical activities even when later in life has the power to decrease the overall risk of breast cancer by almost 10%. Include 150 minutes of light physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercising every week. Apart from that, weight training must also be included at least two days a week. It can decrease the risk of getting breast cancer for the first time and also reduce recurrences. Moreover, women who have already received treatment can also benefit from exercising.

Avoid Alcohol and Quit Smoking

Smoking is a health hazard that can cost health and life. It weakens our immunity against fighting cancer cells and can also deteriorate DNA. Alcohol consumption also increases cancer risk as the body breaks down the chemicals that damage the cells. Limit your alcohol take to 1 drink per day.

Hormonal Therapy is Not Advised

Women might consider hormonal therapy after menopause to manage the symptoms. However, it contains higher risks of contracting breast cancer, as some treatments contain progesterone. It is advisable to limit it to under 3 years. Other hormonal creams and gels are also harmful, so avoid them too.

Long-term Breastfeeding Helps

Breastfeeding babies for at least a year has a decreased risk of having breast cancer in the later stages.

Yearly Mammograms are Recommended

A mammogram is used to find breast abnormalities such as tumors or cysts. We recommend that you get a mammogram to check for these symptoms every year. However, a ‘screening mammogram’ is not always needed if you have no symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram is recommended if you face any symptoms like discharge or pain from the nipple.

Consider Having Ultrasounds

Sometimes mammograms can’t find the cysts or identify changes in breast sizes. In that case, we also recommend having ultrasounds if you have dense breast tissue undetectable by mammograms. Ultrasounds are also better if you are pregnant because they don’t use radiation, unlike mammograms.

Regency Medical Centre AppointmentsOn The Final Note

Family history of any cancer-related issues like Ovarian cancer might put you at a higher risk. It is always advisable to check for any lumps, knots, thickening in your breast or under your arms. If there is any pain or discharge, it is recommended to talk to a health professional soon.

Breast cancer can be terrifying, but the earlier it’s found, the better your odds of beating it. Frequent screenings can help identify breast cancer early on. If you’re 25-39 years old, talk to your health care provider about your risk assessment, risk reduction counseling, and clinical breast exam.

Talk to a doctor today if you are facing any of the symptoms. Book an appointment.

Cardiovascular Diseases

How can we prevent Cardiovascular Diseases? – World Heart Day 2021

29 Sep 2021 Cardiologists ,
104 views

Heart diseases are of many types and can be distinguished by what it does to your heart. A common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), making it harder for your heart to get the blood it needs. CAD can lead to heart attacks that cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Sometimes, cardiac diseases can come unexpectedly without giving any warning. Doctors can diagnose and prevent cardiac diseases only when a person experiences some symptoms of a heart attack, failure, stroke, or arrhythmia.

Tanzania’s health sector has many challenges to face. The life expectancy at birth is just 59 years, and the human resources gap is 40%. The nation is experiencing an epidemiologic transition to non-communicable diseases. There has been a significant increase in diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and the total number of deaths caused by these illnesses is estimated to be 46,000 per year. Regency Medical Center has experienced and professional cardiologists in Dar es Salaam to prevent heart diseases and help you lead a healthier life.

Cardiovascular DiseasesThe Three Types of Preventive Stages for Cardiac Diseases

Scheduling a check-up for cardiac care in Dar es Salaam can be as easy as making wise choices now that will pay off the rest of your life. The three types of prevention often mentioned are secondary, primary, and primordial. All three have different elements and will have different effects. Cardiovascular disease prevention can start young or old, but all must be aware of “smart choices” to make now that will pay off the rest of their lives.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention includes quitting smoking, exercising more, and following a healthy diet. Your medical provider may also prescribe medications like aspirin and statins to take when needed. If you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke, you may need to undergo angioplasty or bypass surgery as a part of cardiac care. Secondary prevention can prevent a second stroke, stop the disease midway, and even early death.

Primary Prevention

To prevent cardiac diseases, it’s essential to get your risk factors down. Primary prevention focuses on controlling these risk factors before they get bad enough to trigger a heart attack or stroke. For instance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are both cardiovascular risk factors. Primary prevention works towards making changes in lifestyle and medications. However, the emergence of some risks like inflammation, atherosclerosis, etc., are already growing and can’t be reversed.

Primordial Prevention

Preventative measures, such as the prevention of inflammation and atherosclerosis, are what we call “primordial prevention.” Primordial prevention can help keep these at bay by working to stop them before they happen. If you can start this early on, you’ll be ahead of the game and more likely to avoid things like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

cardiologists in Dar es SalaamWhich Risk Factors You Can Prevent and Control?

The American Heart Association’s latest statistics show a rise in deaths from cardiovascular disease. Although the number is still lower than a few years ago, this trend needs to be addressed. Despite the decline, an estimated 80% of cases can be prevented by controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol and maintaining healthy habits.

RMC celebrates this year’s World Heart Day by increasing the awareness for cardiac care in Dar es Salaam. The theme for 2021 is “harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention, and management of cardiovascular diseases.” Keeping your heart healthy can be done by eating healthier, being more active, and smoking less. Simple maneuvers like these would have a massive impact on your health and could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. Are you ready to take the pledge? Read through these prevention strategies below:

Switch to a Healthy Diet

You might not think about your food habits when it comes to heart disease and stroke risks, but what you eat can make a big difference. To reduce your risk of diseases, you should choose foods with little or no saturated fat, trans, or sodium. In other words, forget the processed meat sandwiches and try eating some meatless meals! Be mindful that a healthy diet for cardiac care also includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, nuts, and seeds. If you still want to include meat, choose lean meat.

Start Exercising

You should exercise at least 150 minutes every week. That’s only about 20 minutes at a time, five times per week. Moderate-intensity aerobic activities like brisk walking are best. Still, if you want to get even better results and prevent cardiac diseases, you can do 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity like jogging, running, or both. And don’t forget to do muscle-strengthening activities twice a week that work all your major muscle groups.

Be Aware of Your Family History

Stay healthy by looking back through your family history. The closer you are to someone with heart disease, the higher your risk. If they are your parents or siblings, you have an even greater chance of developing heart disease. You can help prevent this by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, not smoking, and eating healthier. Keep your doctor informed about your family’s medical history.

Manage Your Stress

The long-term effects of stress can do more than increase your blood pressure. It can also raise your heart rate, which may damage the walls of your arteries. Learning stress management techniques not only benefits you physically, but also your quality of life. For example, deep breathing exercises and finding time each day to do something you enjoy are great ways to take care of yourself. Volunteering is another great way to relieve stress.

Begin a Regular Wellness Program

Cardiologists in Dar es Salaam are the perfect person to help you understand your heart health. Be proactive with your physician, so you can start screenings. You’ll need to talk about diet, lifestyle, blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, and blood sugar. And if you’re pregnant, overweight, or have diabetes, you may also need to be tested for sugar levels. At RMC, we have specialized cardiologists in Dar es Salaam that would help you know where you stand and make it possible to prevent more risks.

Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol

Regency Medical Centre AppointmentsYou want to stay away from tobacco, but alcohol is a different story. Alcohol may increase blood pressure and cause weight gain, which can cause other health issues. To stay healthy, don’t smoke and drink responsibly. If you’re trying to quit smoking, talk with your health care provider for help finding the best way for you to stop drinking alcohol.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is as essential as the air we breathe and the food we eat. Sleep apnea can lead to breathing difficulties during sleep. This interrupts your ability to rest, leading to other health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. 7-9 hours night sleep is a must for an average adult. You can improve your sleep by following good sleep habits and speaking to a doctor about possible treatment options if you have sleep apnea.

Greater Risk of Heart Disease in Some Specific Cases

Older people are at risk of heart disease, but the risk varies by sex. Over 45 years, men and 55 years women are more prone to cardiac disease than people aged 18-44. However, some sex-specific risk factors increase heart disease risk, like diabetes. Estrogen may help prevent cardiac disease, but diabetes is a bigger risk for women.

Certain groups have higher risks for heart disease, such as African Americans. In contrast, Hispanic Americans have a lower risk. Asian groups vary in risk for heart disease, but some groups have higher chances, such as South Asians. Lastly, the risk increases if a close family member had heart disease at a young age.

Conclusion

Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to avoid and delay many conditions in your heart and brain, such as diabetes and cancer. This means being active and fit, eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, and managing other risk factors that may put you at a greater chance of cardiovascular or neurological diseases. At RMC, we offer innovative and dependable expert services by the best pool of cardiologists in Dar es Salaam. Working relentlessly towards bringing awareness for cardiac diseases and preventing risks is our aim.

Talk to our doctors today, and book an appointment if you are facing any heart-related issues.

RMC

The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups for Parents

28 Sep 2021 Health Checks
260 views

Long ago, people only saw their doctor when they were sick. But things have changed. An empowered generation of people is looking to prevent illness and disease by seeking advice and support for a healthy lifestyle. People are seeking advice on how to maintain a healthy weight. These proactive decisions help reduce the risk for various conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Preventing poor health begins with the individual. This starts with good habits such as eating well, exercising, and getting a regular health check-up. It is always better to figure out any underlying causes of discomfort and alleviate them before they get severe. There are many diseases that doctors can detect before you even show symptoms. Some may be quarterly, while others might be yearly. Regular check-ups will limit the risk of complications by closely monitoring existing conditions. Plus, they will also reduce healthcare costs over time by avoiding costly medical services.

Health Checkup with ParentsImportance of Health Check-ups for Parents

It worries children when the hospital visits become regular, with reports and qualms about health. A child wants nothing more than to see their parents age gracefully. What they really want is to spend time with their parents or take a walk in the park. Hence, Regency Medical Centre makes sure that health check-up packages for parents and other care are developed by expert physicians keeping in mind their unique needs.

When people age, it is natural to identify certain health concerns. For example, diabetes, a weak immune system, heart problems, and sensitivity to the environment. A common problem that the elderly face is the deterioration of their joints, which causes pain. Vision troubles, as well as many other similar issues, are also common among the elderly. However, with simple care and precautions, proper health check-ups can delay the aging process.

Health Checkup Packages for Parents

What can a health check-up package do for you? These packages can help doctors find and treat any diseases that have gotten the best of you. The various tests may be scheduled and devised over a duration to help a doctor monitor your body closely and identify any diseases present in the early stages.

Regency Medical Centre has been a leading innovator in preventive health care. We believe it is essential to maintain wellness in your life as a busy person because your well-being could be suffering. Our assessments offer a chance to stop and take stock of your health. They give you a picture of where you are now and guide how to improve this state for the future.

We offer health check-up packages as follows:

  • Executive Health Package for Males:
  • Clinical – Physician, Ophthalmologist, and Dentist.
  • Laboratory- Blood groups, CBC+ESR, LFT, Lipid Profile, PSA, RFT, Stool for Occult Blood.
  • Diagnostic- ECG, Echo, CXR, USG Abdomen and Pelvic
  1. Executive Health Package for Females:
  • Clinical – Physician, Ophthalmologist, Gynaecologist, and Dentist.
  • Laboratory- CBC+ESR, FBS, LFT, Lipid Profile, RFT, Urinalysis
  • Diagnostic- ECG, Echo, CXR, USG Abdomen and Plevic, Colposcopy

A Checklist to Save Time and Prepare for Next Check-up

If we don’t take care of ourselves, we’ll eventually regret it. That’s why seeing a doctor for a health check-up once in a while is essential. Often, we don’t prioritize ourselves because we’re so busy with work and family and social life and other things. But if you don’t take care of yourself, you may not be able to take care of those things later on. Here’s a checklist to help you save time and prepare yourself for your next check-up:

Due screenings

Doctor visits can be stressful, but not if you’re prepared. To help reduce anxiety and wasted time, just be sure to ask your doctor ahead of time what screenings they recommend for your age, medical history, family history, lifestyle, and other factors. Depending on your age, you might be screened for a breast exam or prostate exam. This way, you’ll have enough idea about what to expect during the appointment, and you’ll be able to make a plan to handle any surprises.

List of Questions

There are a lot of things to remember when going to see your doctor. But your most important goal is to have a one-on-one conversation. When you feel out of the norm, it’s vital to ask pointed questions and take notes on anything that has been altered or changed about yourself. It will help your doctor get a complete understanding of what’s going on, and they can better diagnose your symptoms.

Think Long-term

How can your doctor help you think ahead? We all have significant life changes in our futures, including quitting smoking, undergoing a weight loss program, or planning for reproductive surgery. You should bring life events into the conversation with your doctor to determine what you need to do medically. For example, if you change jobs, your doctor should know about the possible health hazards. Your doctor can offer advice on how to handle these changes.

Important Health Exams that Parents Should be Aware Of

In this new era, you should be mindful of your health. In order to do so, you can conduct a few health checks. Simple blood work and a BMI check can give you a general idea of how healthy you are. Sometimes, a doctor will recommend dietary or lifestyle changes to help you live a healthier lifestyle.

If you take care of yourself, your kids will follow suit! When parents don’t take care of themselves, the entire family suffers. We at RMC want to educate the families about eating healthy and consuming a proper diet that can help them fight obesity, high cholesterol, and blood pressure. Some important exams that you should be aware of include:

  • BMI screening (Body Mass Index)
  • High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer
  • Skin Cancer
  • Anxiety/depression
  • Lung function

Hypertension TreatmentRegular Health Check-ups for Parents Have Immense Benefits

To keep your body up-to-date, you need to allocate time for medical check-ups. Even if you feel healthy, a full-body screening is essential. Doctors take a more selective approach for healthy people to prevent diseases. This measure is necessary to stay on top of your health. Here are some benefits of regular health check-ups:

Becoming Careful

The feeling when your doctor tells you about your risk of getting a disease is like they’re looking into the future and warning you. But you can take care of yourself and preventively handle potential health issues. That is if you get regular check-ups and take care of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and depression before they get worse. All of these preventive measures will make sure your body doesn’t deal with any major issues.

Identifying and Curing Stress-related Diseases

We live in a world that’s gone really fast. As a result, many people struggle to balance hectic work schedules and lifestyles. The biggest stressor in our lives is that we feel like we’re constantly working to keep up with the rest of the world. This can lead to physical and psychological diseases, such as high blood pressure, weight gain, mental disorders, Asthma, depression, and even gastrointestinal problems. Regular health check-ups can make it easier to treat such diseases with the doctor’s support and keep the high-stress life at bay.

Regency Medical Centre AppointmentsRecommending Other Essential Tests

In addition to the routine tests, the doctor may recommend many other physical exams if your parents’ profiles indicate a higher risk for breast and/or uterine cancer. For women older than 45 or with a family history of breast and/or uterine cancer, the recommended tests are mammogram, pap smear, and pelvic exam. Men might need prostate cancer tests. Additionally, doctors can also recommend other general tests like lung checks, bone density, infections, vitamin D, and Thyroid.

On the Final Note

Staying abreast of health is crucial for modern consumers. Doctors are recommending that patients get regular check-ups, prioritize prevention, and help prevent future problems. Depression, stomach problems, and obesity: these are just a few of the illnesses that people in our society seem to get all too often. After spending so much time experiencing this, many people develop a complex — believing they cannot escape these diseases.

On the other hand, people can feel great after taking a health check-up, knowing they’re not afflicted with any illnesses. At Regency Medical Center, we aim to go above and beyond. Our doctors are an expert team of qualified and experienced professionals, always at your service to give you the best care possible.

Contact us, and book an appointment. We’ll answer any questions you have and look into a time that works for you for a health check-up.

Laparoscopic Surgery

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?

31 Aug 2021 Blog, Urology
1,179 views

The thought of going under surgery is never easy. Frightening thoughts and fear about the entire procedure are sure to disturb patients. However, advancements in medical science and surgical procedures have grown leaps and bounds. One such innovative procedure is laparoscopic surgery treatment. 

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

AN INFORMATION GUIDE TO- ‘CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE’

2 Aug 2021 Blog, Specialised-diagnostics
2,092 views

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), against the common perception, is not a single disease but a group of progressive lung diseases. Respiratory failures, caused by COPD, account for a major cause of mortality. Thus it is important that we are aware of this disorder, its symptoms, and treatment so that immediate action is taken when the time comes.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CATARACT

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CATARACT! – OPHTHALMOLOGY

9 Jun 2021 Ophthalmology
1,109 views

Fact says that we perceive up to 80% of all our perceptions by our sight. The eyes are termed as, by far the most important sensory organ. But ever wondered who specializes in taking care of them!? An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who diagnoses and treats all kinds of vision impairments. The medical branch which covers a panoramic view of all vision and eye-related conditions is known as ophthalmology. You might have heard about cataracts, corneal conditions, optic nerve problems, abnormal eye movements, double vision etc. Thus, an ophthalmologist is the one who treats these kinds of vision disorders

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pulmonogiest

THINGS YOUR PULMONOLOGIST WANTS YOU TO KNOW!

5 Jun 2021 Blog, Uncategorized
366 views

Our respiratory system is a collection of three different parts- the airways, the lungs, and the respiratory muscles. All these collectively help the human body to breathe, which will eventually be responsible for the supply of oxygen to other parts like the brain, limbs, heart, etc.

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