Dr. Viral Thakkar, Author at GOQii

September 29, 2021 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 2 Comments

Your Heart and You: Signs of Heart Disease to Watch Out For

Mishita, 55 years, was feeling low and depressed for quite a few months. Since the past 2 days, she began feeling slight restlessness, palpitations, and a suffocating feeling followed by mild chest pain radiating to her left shoulder. Since she was alone, she called her daughter to express these symptoms. Her daughter immediately called their neighbour. As her neighbour had basic knowledge about heart symptoms and heart disease, she was saved from a major heart attack but early signs of arteriosclerosis were detected. She started following lifestyle changes and now is happy, healthy and almost off medicine!

How & When Does Heart Disease Develop?

Heart disease mostly develops over a period of time due to an unhealthy lifestyle. One may have early signs or symptoms long before a serious heart problem. In my practice, I have seen that the body, including the heart, will give several signs, before it deteriorates. It’s up to you how much you listen to your body.

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. It could be a disease related to blood vessels such as coronary artery disease, especially arteriosclerosis (lumen of arteries supplying blood to the heart is reduced in size and finally get occluded, leading to myocardial infarction) or arrhythmias (irregular rhythm of heartbeats which is due to an issue in the current flow of heart circuit) or one could be born with a heart disease as well – congenital heart defects, among others. There are 2 dimensions which affect heart, physiological constitution and emotional constitution of an individual.

Psychoneuroimmunology has proven that a person who is sad, depressed, unhealthy and unhappy will be at risk of a heart attack, or shall I say, a number of diseases. Emotional, mental and physical wellbeing are the keys to lead a good life.

Signs To Watch Out For

I will be discussing some common symptoms of a heart attack since the number of people suffering from the same is increasing. One should immediately take medical advice if you have any of the following symptoms, at any age:

Chest Pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest area which may include left, center or sometimes even the right side which may also radiate towards the left shoulder, left upper back, jaw or sometimes even chin area. There are many causes of chest pain that have nothing to do with the heart but it is still the most common symptom of poor blood flow to the heart cells due to any cardiac ailment which leads to a heart attack ( Myocardial infarction).
At times it is like a crushing pain, while others feel only mild discomfort.
It might feel heavy or like someone was squeezing the heart. One may also feel a sharp, burning sensation in the chest or epigastric area
At times, the pain under the breastbone (sternum), or on the neck, arms, stomach, jaw, or upper back may be the only symptom, which one should not ignore.
Chest pain from angina often occurs during or post-activity or sudden emotional experience and goes away with rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin.
Bad indigestion can also cause chest pain but that does not amount to heart trouble! However, any symptoms you experience is the body’s language of communication, so ignore none.

Certain other features could be extreme anxiety, fainting or loss of consciousness, lightheadedness or dizziness, nausea or vomiting, palpitations (feeling like the heart is beating too fast or irregularly), shortness of breath, profuse sweating, which may be very heavy.

In case of other comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, etc. one might experience fatigue, shortness of breath, general weakness, or change in skin colour.

Symptoms Which Need Cardiac Attention

Shortness of Breath: When the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should, blood backs up in the veins that go from the lungs to the heart. Fluid leaks into the lungs and causes shortness of breath. This is a symptom of heart failure. One may notice shortness of breath during activity, while resting or when lying flat on the back – it might wake you up from sleep.
Continuous coughing or wheezing could be a sign that the fluid is building up in the lungs. One may also cough up mucus that is pink or bloody.
Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet: because the blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in the legs. This causes fluid to build up in the tissues. One may also experience swelling in the stomach or notice some weight gain. This is mostly seen in congestive cardiac failure.
Narrowed Blood Vessels could mean a higher risk of a heart attack & can occur when cholesterol and other fatty material (plaque) builds upon the walls of the arteries. It is also the cause of hypertension.
Fatigue: Tiredness can have many causes. It could be a sign of heart trouble when one feels so tired that regular activities are not conducted or when the feeling is sudden and leads to severe weakness
Palpitations: If the heart can’t pump blood normally, it may beat faster to try to keep up. It might feel that the heart is racing or throbbing. A fast or uneven heartbeat can also be a sign of arrhythmia. This is a problem with your heart rate or rhythm.

The heart is an organ which does not rest until you rest in peace. You need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy heart. Diet, sleep, stress levels, emotional state, exercise or physical activity are the parameters which monitor your heart health. You need to monitor these parameters consciously. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek medical assistance.

Don’t let the rhythm of your heart be affected. As in most cases of the heart, prevention is the only cure!

Watch out for Part 2 of this article. For more on heart health, check out Healthy Reads or get a doctor consultation by subscribing to GOQii here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

August 4, 2021 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

9 Steps For Building and Mainting Immunity

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, maintaining one’s immunity has become a must. However, even if not for any random virus flying off, one’s immunity is the biggest strength against any onslaught of a virus and bacteria. Taking care of one’s self is a lifestyle. It must be down as a means to protect one’s body. I’m writing this article touching on a few aspects of maintaining one’s immunity. Since these worked for me, I believe it might work for you all as well. Being healthy has to be imbibed in one’s lifestyle just so no virus or bacteria can affect you.

How Do You Build Immunity?

If only maintaining immunity was as easy as popping a pill, life would have been a bed of roses. But it’s not! You have to work for it to earn it. One’s immunity depends on the way one is born, to one’s genes! But, we are talking about factors which are in one’s hands. The thumb rule is to listen to your body, it never lies. And, most of what your grandmother said was right in terms of health… keeping all that aside, here are a few quick tips to build up your immunity.

No Stress & Yes to Happiness: Stress can wreck any organ in your body. Let go and be happy. Remember, if you are stressed over Corona, you are at risk. A happy and positive person is less likely to fall sick usually.
Maintain Personal Hygiene: Wash your hands with soap before and after eating, bathe, wear breathable clothing and follow all the instructions in basic science textbooks of a 2-3 class child. It will help to prevent a lot of infections!
Seasonal Vegetables and Fruits: Every area is known for its own vegetables and fruits as per the season. For instance, the Saag in North India is awesome during winters. It’s a must have. And yet you get it during summers in some regions. That’s a big no! Watermelon is a fruit of the summer. It is best to have it at that time.
Home cooked food is the best because there is no adulteration. It should be cooked by a healthy person who has no infectious disease, be it your maid, or a house member. I strongly believe that basic hygiene like washing hands before touching food, washing the vegetables before cutting, etc. must be followed. In fact, these are taught in our curriculum in primary sections!
Back to Basics: Consume natural food, have good nutrition and avoid unnecessary medication. By natural food I mean raw vegetables and fruits. Refer to your doctor/nutritionist for your diet plan if you are unable to do so.
Daadi maa ke nuskhe (Grandmother’s Secret Recipes) might just work better than medications for basic ailments like cough and cold. See what works best for your body. As a child, I remember my mother giving me ginger juice mixed with honey every day in the morning during winters. I hardly had a runny nose during childhood. When I grew up, teenage took over and the orthodox medicine said that medicine is the best cure, but it didn’t work for me. Even at this age, ginger juice and honey is my prevention from cough and cold and I’ve no idea why it works for me! Try and find what your remedy is!
With respect to air borne infections, we need to protect our body, especially the orifices from where we breathe. So for the nose, take very little cow ghee/castor oil/any kachhi ghanni (cold pressed) oil and rub it inside your nostrils. The thick ghee captures the dirt and germs in the nostrils itself. For your skin, apply virgin pressed coconut oil.
Sun is a Friend: Basking in the morning sun is good. Don’t overdo it but remember that the sun is the best and the strongest natural disinfectant. So if you do not have a medical condition, and if the doctor has not advised otherwise, make the sun your friend. I do not deny the ugliness of buildings since people dry their clothes outside, but remember one’s clothes are best disinfected in the sun.
Exercise: Are you a yoga person, jogger, swimmer or gymmer? See what suits your body and get into shape. Pranayam though must be followed by all.

We hope this helps you build and maintain your immunity against the coronavirus. For more articles on immunity, nutrition and the coronavirus, check out Healthy Reads. To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, sign up for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Stay safe, stay healthy and #BeTheForce

March 28, 2020 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 1 Comment

How To Use A Mask The Right Way!

A mask is a barrier between the nose, mouth and the rest of the world. This small piece of cloth is extremely useful in preventing the spread of contagious infection that spreads through air. A mask prevents you from spreading infection and prevents the infection from coming on to you from others. A mask could be a piece of cloth covering your nose and mouth (your scarf or the basic cotton ones we see being sold these days) or specially manufactured to prevent infection (the ones we see doctors wearing).

Should I use a mask?

The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. If you are healthy and everyone at your home is healthy, do not wear it. I suggest this because the precautions to using a mask must be followed at all times under all circumstances.
Wear a mask if you have an infection (any infection like cough, cold, etc) or if you are a caregiver.
Wear a mask if you are stepping out of your house, do not take it off when talking to people or under any circumstances. Take it off and put it for a wash immediately once you are home.

WHO says, you should use a mask:

If you’re taking care of a person with infection (any infection)
If you have any infection

How to Use a Mask

A mask alone is not the only answer to protect you from an infection. Use alcohol-based sanitizers or wash your hands before, during and after using the it
Before you touch your mask, wash your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water
Cover your mouth and nose and ensure there are no gaps in between
Once you pull off the mask, because of the breath, the dirt will stick to it from the inside. Do not use it again, get a fresh one.
One time use masks to be used once. Period!
Since the mask is protecting you from infections, it has all infections on it. So do not touch it when it’s on.
Discard it in a paper bag and then throw it in the dustbin.
If you’re using one made from cloth, you can wash it in warm water, dry it in a clean place and reuse.

There are different types available in the market. In the current epidemic, it is suggested to use the N95 respirator face mask to protect one from contracting COVID-19. All the indications to wear it stays the same as mentioned above. This mask filters particle (95% of very small particles) from the air that is breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles. It is said that these masks can filter most of the bacteria and viruses. And hence its utility. If these are properly fitted and worn, minimal leakage occurs around edges of the respirator when the user inhales air.

Currently, we increasingly see common vendors selling masks on the road side, people wear to check and keep them back. This is unacceptable and we are creating a pool of infection by such practises. Ensure you sanitise and clean the mask properly, before you put it on. Keep your it only for your use and no one else’s.

However, in the current scenario where masks are required by the medical fraternity more than the common citizens, I must reiterate that your mask against COVID-19 must be ‘social distancing’ and nothing else.

You can get N95 masks from the GOQii Health Store within the app.

Stay safe. Stay at home. #BeTheForce against COVID-19!

November 6, 2019 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

Stroke: A Few Untouched Aspects

Stroke is the sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is lost by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain. According to the WHO, it is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability. Stroke is also a leading cause of dementia and depression. For commonly known causes of stroke, please refer to the article “Stroke: Straight Dive or Pavilion” published earlier. While you might have read a number of reasons which lead to stroke, this article focuses on the importance of emotional health to prevent stroke.

There Are 2 Main Types of Stroke

Hemorrhagic Stroke: is caused by bleeding in the brain due to a weak spot in the wall of the vessel, which can cause an aneurysm (bulging of the vessel wall). The vessels can also be weakened by chronic or very high blood pressure and break from force. When the vessel breaks, blood leaks into surrounding tissue, and the brain doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Ischemic Stroke: results from blocked arteries, which often occur from cholesterol build-up, called plaque. Plaques on the inside of the vessel can be fragile when blood flows past, causing the plaque to lift. But in the blood vessel, when a plaque lifts-up and the body tries to heal it, like it would scab on your arm, it makes a clot where that plaque lifted up, which blocks blood flow and can lead to ischemic stroke.

The human body is magical. When the mind perceives a threat or stress, the body releases cortisol and adrenaline to cope with it. These hormones impact the homeostasis of the body; the other parameters get deranged and affect the healing processes of the body. Now, if your personality is to take constant stress, cortisol and level of other stress hormones will be high to ensure the body deals with stress. This could cause retention of salt which might increase blood pressure. Stress also causes an increase in blood sugar, which means the vessels can’t dilate or contract to better control blood flow. Increased cortisol is also known to disrupt sleep cycles leading to fatigue.

Anyone Can Be At Risk…

…for many reasons, not just stress. Sometimes, it just how your body responds.

While there is no concrete reason to state that positive emotions, a stress-free life or a balanced psychological state will not lead to stroke. However, there are numerous research studies to indicate that there might be a relationship between negative emotions, stress & stroke. In my practice, I have usually seen stressed people holding negative emotions fall prey to issues like stress, heart ailments, etc. A University of Michigan study found that men who were more physiologically reactive to stress were 72% more likely to suffer a stroke.

Regardless of how your life or your job is, if you feel you are stressed, you most probably are.

If you’re still unsure, ask yourself these questions:

Does your significant other tell you, you seem stressed?
You tend to pick up fights and arguments with your family and co-workers more than normal?
You resort to alcohol, drugs, smoking to alleviate stress?
Do you find less joy in things that normally make you happy?
Do you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep compared to normal?
You don’t like to get up in the morning, especially on days you know you will come across stress causing situations

If the answer to the above is yes, then it’s time for you to work on yourself. Contemplate on the reason, give attention to the little things in life… It is the little things which lead to bigger changes! Some attitude changes like acceptance and forgiveness make a lot of difference!

Quick tip: Whenever you feel stress, start taking deep breaths. Mentally count till 5 & inhale, count another 5 and exhale. Make it as slow and steady as possible. Taking in more oxygen allows more oxygen to be available to the brain tissues. Some research suggests that deep breathing helps to rehabilitate the brain after a stroke. This style of breathing also helps to relax and calm the mind and whole being.

While everyone faces issues in life, it is the ability to cope with it, be in sync with one’s body which determines health!