Category Archives: Health

Medanta Marks International Yoga Day with Grand Celebration Focused on Wellness

Gurugram, June 21, 2025 – Medanta – The Medicity, one of India’s leading multi-specialty hospital and ranked as the country’s Best Private Hospital by Newsweek for six consecutive years, spearheaded the celebrations of the 11th International Yoga Day. In collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation, Medanta hosted two large-scale events at the hospital — on the lawns and in the auditorium — which saw nearly 200 participants, including Dr. Kartikeya Bhargava, Senior Director, Electrophysiology, Cardiac Care, Medanta, who emphasized the importance of integrating yoga into daily life for better heart health and overall well-being.

Further, amplifying the message of holistic health, Medanta extended the celebrations to local communities by helping to organize special yoga sessions in collaboration with RWAs in Gurugram and Noida, as well as at New Delhi’s Defence Colony Club.

Together, the events engaged more than 1,000 individuals across Delhi-NCR, underscoring Medanta’s commitment to preventive healthcare and community well-being in line with this year’s theme — Yoga for One Earth, One Health.

Highlighting the importance of Yoga in everyday life, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta, stated, “Yoga is one of the most powerful tools we have for preventive healthcare. It strengthens the body, calms the mind, and enhances immunity — all of which are essential for a healthy life in today’s fast-paced world. Practices like Pranayama and Anulom Vilom help improve lung capacity, regulate blood pressure, and manage stress — a key contributor to many chronic illnesses. Regular yoga practice strengthens the body, boosts immunity, and supports heart health. At Medanta, we believe that true healthcare begins long before disease strikes, and yoga plays a vital role in empowering individuals to take charge of their health. This vision strongly resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to celebrate International Yoga Day — not just as an annual event, but as a global movement to promote holistic well-being. We must embrace yoga not just as a one-day celebration, but as a way of life — for a healthier, stronger, and more resilient society.”

Dr. Kartikeya Bhargava, Senior Director, Electrophysiology, Cardiac Care, Medanta said, “We witnessed enthusiastic participation at Medanta this Yoga Day, and it was heartening to see people from all walks of life embrace this powerful practice. While yoga’s roots go back over 2,000 years, its relevance in modern medicine continues to grow. Yoga has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, help regulate blood pressure, and enhance autonomic balance, which is crucial for heart health. Beyond that, it plays a significant role in reducing stress, anxiety, and chronic pain, while also improving flexibility, sleep quality, and emotional well-being. For patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis, yoga offers a safe and effective complementary therapy. Integrating it into our daily lives can truly empower individuals to take proactive steps toward holistic, long-term health.”

Medanta remains at the forefront of driving awareness, promoting preventive care, and advancing evidence-based integration of yoga into modern medical practice — reaffirming its commitment to building a healthier, more conscious society.

Superfoods For Sperm And Egg Health: A Couple’s Guide To Fertility Nutrition

 By-Dr Bani Kumar Mitra, Founder & Chief Consultant, Abha Surgy Centre

With fertility-related issues becoming a growing concern among urban couples, medical practitioners and nutritionists are placing renewed emphasis on the role of diet in reproductive health. Amidst a surge in awareness about holistic wellness, superfoods—natural foods dense in essential nutrients are being increasingly recognised for their ability to enhance reproductive potential in both men and women.

For women, fertility begins with healthy ovulation and hormone balance. Superfoods such as leafy greens, avocados and berries are rich in folic acid, a vital B-vitamin that supports cell division and ovum development. Nuts and seeds, particularly flaxseeds and walnuts, offer omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate hormones and improve uterine blood flow. Antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and pomegranates help fight oxidative stress, a known factor in declining egg quality with age.

Male fertility is equally influenced by diet. Zinc, found in pumpkin seeds and lentils, is essential for sperm production and testosterone levels. Selenium, abundant in nuts, boosts sperm motility. Vitamin C and E found in citrus fruits and almonds protect sperm from DNA damage. Tomatoes, high in lycopene, have been linked to improved sperm morphology and count.

Couples looking to conceive should focus on a whole-food, antioxidant-rich diet, avoiding excessive caffeine, trans fats and processed sugars, all of which are linked to hormonal imbalance and lowered fertility.

While superfoods alone may not offer a complete solution, their impact becomes significantly more effective when integrated with broader lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, stress management, and timely medical consultation. At a time when assisted reproductive technologies are witnessing a steady rise, returning to nature’s own resources may well serve as a foundational and nourishing first step in a couple’s path to parenthood.

Joint Replacement Surgeries: What Age is Too Early or Too Late

By Dr. Achal Saradava, Sr. Orthopedic Surgeon,HCG Hospitals, Rajkot

Does age play a significant role in Joint Replacement Surgery, or Arthroplasty? The answer would be “No”. What truly matters is the quality of life people will be living irrespective of age. If your joint pain is affecting the quality of your life, you should visit a doctor for proper evaluation.

So, let us now understand the basics about a joint replacement and its relation with age.

Understanding the Basics

When a joint is damaged, or injured due to arthritis, or any physical mishap, it can be replaced with an artificial implant and this surgical procedure is called Joint replacement. This procedure is most commonly performed for the hip or knee joints. It’s typically advised when there is chronic and debilitating pain, affecting mobility and other treatments—such as medication, physiotherapy, or lifestyle changes didn’t work.

Is There a “Right” Age?

There’s no one-size-fits-all age when it comes to joint replacement, every joint pain case becomes unique in itself.

Young patients, under 50 or even younger often delay joint replacement surgery. They worry about how long the implant will last, since their bones are still maturing and implants may wear out over time. The thought of needing another surgery later can be a major concern.

And, for older patients with 70+ age worry about recovery, surgical risks, or whether they’ve “missed the window”, given the reality of increased susceptibility to infection and decreased capability to heal.

Many in their 40s or 50s, with severe joint pain, avoid the symptoms and prefer home remedies. They fear that getting a replacement now might entail a second surgery later. But the fact is artificial joints tend to remain viable for 15 to 25 years, or more.

People should understand that persisting pain in joint can significantly limit their regular activities. Delaying for a surgery can further degrade the chronic pain both physically and psychologically leading to muscle loss, worsening deformity, and affecting mental health equally.

Today’s developments have transformed implants more durable than before, and advances in surgical technique make potential revision surgeries manageable.

Is Joint Replacement is not an option for over 70s?

Seniors may consider themselves too old for surgery and also think it as a financial constraints. But this can be an option for those who are physically active, mentally sharp, and otherwise healthy.

For older adults, doctors look at the whole picture—not just age. They consider both physical health and how the body is aging. For example, a healthy and active 78-year-old with good heart and lung function may recover better from joint surgery than a 60-year-old with several uncontrolled health problems.

Before the procedure begins, a careful preoperative assessment is essential. This assessment is done by collaborating with cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, and physiotherapists to ensure that the procedure is safe and that recovery prognosis is satisfactory

When Timing Is Everything

Timing matters, but symptoms, including persistent joint pain that doesn’t improve with medications, limited range of motion affecting daily tasks, difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of bed, sleep disturbances due to pain, or dependence on others for basic mobility, demand the consideration of surgical options. Early intervention often leads to better recovery and improved joint function. Delaying too long can lead to more complicated surgery, poorer outcomes, or irreversible muscle wasting.

Advancements in Joint Replacement

With developing technologies the Joint replacement in today’s era has become highly advanced. With minimally invasive techniques, computer navigation, and custom-fit implants that improves precision and reduces recovery time.

Rehabilitation protocols have become more streamlined, and many patients begin walking the same day, or the next. With proper planning and motivation, age is now, rarely a limiting factor.

The “right” time for joint replacement should be determined by how much your pain is affecting your life, not by the age.

Whether you’re 45 or 80, the goal is the same, you still have options to cure the joint pain. Consulting an orthopaedic specialist and getting an evaluation is essential. The right time for surgery might just be now.

Extends Wellness Outreach by Organizing Yoga Camps in Local Communities

Noida: Community radio Salaam Namaste, based in Sector 62, in collaboration with the SMART organization, launched a series of yoga programs and workshops under the initiative titled “Sehat Sahi Labh Kai.” As part of this outreach initiative, free yoga camps and health awareness workshops were conducted in Makanpur, Nithari, Barola, and Parshvanath Society. The core objective of the program was to encourage individuals to adopt a healthier, more empowered, and mentally balanced lifestyle through the regular practice of yoga.

Trained yoga experts guided participants through sessions on pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, yoga postures (asanas), body balancing techniques, and other essential practices. Participants also received in-depth knowledge about the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga.

Station Head of Salaam Namaste, Barsha Chhabaria, emphasized that yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a vital part of India’s ancient lifestyle and cultural heritage. In today’s fast-paced life, it offers peace, health, and balance. She added that through such social outreach programs, their aim is to bring the benefits of yoga to communities with limited access to health resources. With the active support of the SMART organization, this campaign is being advanced with a policy-driven approach and a focus on lasting social impact. The initiative is dedicated to the upcoming International Yoga Day, and similar activities will continue to be organized across various areas in the future.

Participants in the program shared their experiences, expressing that yoga helped them lead a stress-free life, improved their concentration and physical health, and encouraged positive thinking. Many also pledged to incorporate yoga into their daily routines.

Melanoma and Fair Skin: Why Indians Should Not Ignore Skin Changes

Dr. L.P Bhaskar Bhuvan, Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Center – Vizag

 The belief that “Melanoma only affects white skin” is profoundly ingrained—and sadly misplaced.  Indians have long believed that our melanin-rich skin protects us from major sun damage.  But the truth is that Melanoma does not discriminate.  It’s just less visible on darker skin and goes undetected, until it’s too late to correct.

 Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.  It occurs when pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes, begin to expand uncontrolled.  These cells are responsible for our skin’s colour.  While melanin does provide some natural defence, it is not without limitations.  When Indians do develop Melanoma, it often stays undetected until cancer is advanced.

 Skin awareness involves indications to watch out for, and proactive protection.

 Why Indian Skin Is Not Immune.

 Yes, Indian skin has higher melanin, which helps filter ultraviolet (UV) radiation, to some extent.  But melanin isn’t a magical shield.  It simply delays the observable damage, without entirely eliminating the risk.  And the delay leads to a false sense of security.

 Melanoma in darker skin types frequently arises in locations that are not normally exposed to sunlight, such as the soles of the feet, under the nails, between the toes, or even on the palms.  These are areas that we rarely investigate attentively.  This is why Melanoma in Indian patients is often missed in its early, treatable stage.

 Furthermore, when signs such as bleeding, crusting, or itching appear, the cancer may have already spread.  Early detection, as with most malignancies, is essential.  But this only happens when you know what to look for.

Skin changes that should raise red flags

 Melanoma typically begins as a new mole or a change in an existing one.  The problem is that Indians naturally have more moles, freckles, and pigmentation patches.  So, how do you know which ones warrant your attention?

 Use the ABCDE rule as a guide.

• A: Asymmetry refers to when one half of a mole differs from the other.
• B: Border with irregular, fuzzy, or jagged edges.
• Colour: Browns, blacks, reds, and whites.
• Diameter: Spots larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• Ache-Pain in the lesion/Mole
• Evolving:  refers to any change in size, shape, colour, or elevation, as well as new symptoms such as bleeding, or itching.

 For Indian skin, pigmentation or darkening of the soles, palms, or nails, including a dark stripe under the nail that is unrelated to trauma, should never be overlooked.

How Lifestyle and Environment Contribute

 Prolonged sun exposure, particularly at midday, contributes significantly to skin cell mutations.  Outdoor occupations, such as farming, construction, and even driving, expose huge portions of skin to UV radiation on a daily basis.

 The rising use of tanning beds (yes, it is a growing trend in urban India), a lack of sunscreen use, and a general underestimation of skin health entail the perfect formula for skin cancer.

 Chronic skin inflammation, existing scars, or long-standing sores (from burns or infections) can all lead to skin cancer, including Melanoma.  That is why it is critical to observe any patch of skin that changes, heals slowly, or feels strange, over time.

 Protective Measures that Work

 Making sun protection a routine is the first and simplest approach to minimising the chances of developing Melanoma. The perception, in India that sunscreen is a cosmetic product, rather than a health necessity, needs to change.

 Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater, and apply it every morning, even if you spend the most of the day indoors.  If you’re sweating or exposed to the sun, reapply every 2-3 hours.  When you’re spending time outside, wear clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses, to protect yourself from the sun.

 Check your skin on a monthly basis. Examine your entire body, including between the toes, under the arms, behind the ears, and beneath the nails.  If you detect anything out of the ordinary, consult a Dermatologist right away.

Bottom Line:  Early action saves lives.

Busting the myth that dark skin implies immunity to skin cancer will encourage awareness and proactive vigilance to changes in the skin. Because darker skin tends to conceal changes on its surface, Indians should, ideally, do regular skin checks, ensure sun protection, and be consistently aware of unusual changes, such as dark spots, a dark patch beneath the nail, any area of skin that appears unusual, or evolving moles. Early detection of Melanoma and timely intervention by a medical team will significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and present a life-saving advantage.

BIT Mesra Scientists Develop pH Responsive Peptides for Regenerative Medicine

“This is the first report to demonstrate pH-responsive behavior in DGEA-based peptide systems,” said Dr. Alok Jain, the lead researcher. “It opens new avenues for developing adaptive biomaterials for clinical use.”The work was carried out with valuable contributions from co-authors and student researchers at BIT Mesra. The project received funding support from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India.

Pristyn Care’s Triple Launch Catapults Network to Eight Hospitals, Marks Entry into South India

New Delhi, 20th June 2025 — With a vision to fix India’s fragmented patient journey, Pristyn Care is redefining what healthcare should feel like—personal, dignified, and seamless. Today, the company surges beyond its Delhi roots, unveiling three new hospitals in Gurgaon, Hyderabad, and Kochi simultaneously.

This expansion lifts Pristyn Care’s hospital network to eight facilities—just four months after the launch of its first own hospital. The combined clinical estate now spans 200,000 sq ft and houses 400 beds, 20+ modular operating theatres, and more than 50 ICU bays, backed by 550+ doctors, nurses, and allied professionals.

Pristyn Care has already engineered a unified digital backbone—electronic medical records, real-time protocol alerts, seamless insurance rails, one-tap cashless approvals, express-discharge tooling, and 45-minute automated labs. Integration teams are now mapping each new hospital’s existing systems to this platform so that, over the coming months, they will evolve into fully fledged smart facilities where clinicians spend less time on logistics and more time at the bedside.

Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-founder at Pristyn Care, said, “We’re not starting from scratch; the technology is built and live. Our next task is to weave it into every new hospital so patients experience shorter waits, clearer communication, and truly joined-up care.”

Dr Garima Sawhney, Co-founder Co-founder at Pristyn Care, “Whether in a Tier-I metro or a Tier-II city, patients can count on the same promise—minimally invasive treatments and a digitally integrated journey that prioritises healing.”

City-Specific Highlights:

Gurgaon: Strengthens neonatal and women’s health capabilities across NCR. With this launch, Pristyn Care now operates six hospitals across the NCR region.

Hyderabad: Introduces computer-navigated joint replacements and 24×7 trauma care

Kochi: Offers advanced emergency medicine and a riverside rehab wing, eliminating the need for Kerala-based patients to travel to metro cities

These three new hospitals together add approximately 90,000 sq ft of space

The company’s first Delhi hospital reached double-digit profitability within eight weeks, a feat rare in an industry where breakeven typically takes 12–24 months. Net Promoter Scores have climbed by 10 points, underscoring patient appreciation for Pristyn Care’s tech-enabled approach.

These milestones fuel a broader mission: bringing high-quality secondary care deeper into Tier-II and Tier-III towns. On the strength of early results, Pristyn Care remains on track to operate 50 hospitals by FY 2028, with the next wave headed to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.

This International Yoga Day, Come Home to Yourself at Swastik’s Transformational Yoga Retreat

20th June 2025 – In a world of constant motion, this yoga day, Swastik Wellbeing Sanctuary echoes the call to pause, breathe, and reconnect. Nestled in the serene embrace of Pune’s Peacock Valley, Swastik announces a soul-nourishing 4-day yoga programme, From Asanas to Awareness – Yoga Comes Alive at Swastik. Honouring the International Yoga Day, this immersive experience from June 20 to 23, 2025, blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern practices to align body, mind, and spirit.

Led by expert yoga teachers and holistic therapists, the programme is thoughtfully designed to guide seekers through dedicated daily themes: Ground and Begin, Flow and Expand, Restore and Reflect. The four-day programme will include special sessions like Ariel Yoga, 108 Surya Namaskars, Yoga Nidra, and a talk on Yoga for Holistic Health. From Hatha Yoga, Aqua Yoga, and Breathwork to Resonance Therapy, Pranic Energisation, and Sonorium Meditations, each experience is designed to deepen seekers presence and elevate awareness.

At the core of the experience stands Dhyan Vihar-the calming dome and inner refuge of Swastik-where quiet meets purpose. Ringed by Nakshatra Van, a star-sign garden, it creates a vibrant, charged space for honest self-reflection and meshes body and mind with nature’s natural beat.

This one-of-a-kind yoga celebration is more than just a physical practice. It’s an invitation to soften, stretch, and surrender. To rise not just in posture but in presence. With a conscious blend of community, stillness, and connection, seekers will leave feeling balanced, replenished, and aligned with their inner rhythm.

Understanding neurological disorders

Dr. Sreekanta Swamy, Lead Senior Consultant – Neurology, Aster RV Hospital

Neurological disorders are among the most disabling illnesses all over the world. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the two top disorders among them. Parkinson’s, disease is a brain disorder, seen in elderly population. For every thousand people over 60 years one may get Parkinson’s disease. It is grouped under the umbrella of neurological disorders called movement disorders, because it mainly affects the movements of the body due to impairment of nerve cells in the brain which produces hormone called dopamine that controls the movements of our body. It is important for the general public as well as the sufferers and their care givers to be aware of the symptoms and newer development in diagnosis and management of this disorder. Every year on April 11 world Parkinson’s day is observed to create awareness and educate people about this disorder.it is important to educate people because this is the second most rapidly increasing neurodegenerative, progressive brain disease all over the world. It results in progressive disability in the affected person and puts a huge economic burden on the family and society.

Nearly 11.5 million people are living with Parkinson’s disease in the world. It is expected to increase many folds by 2040 as the elderly population increases. It is seen commonly around the age of 60 yrs, even though small percentage of patients are diagnosed at a young age, as the age advances the number of affected people also increases till around 85 years of age. Age is the single most risk factor to develop Parkinson’s disease, many other factors like exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, environmental pollution are also implicated. Males are affected twice than females. A small percentage can be hereditary. The disease may go unnoticed for a few years before the actual diagnosis can be done, as it usually evolves and progresses slowly. The symptoms may start to appear when more than 50% of dopamine secretion is reduced. Sometimes few general symptoms may start many years before the actual symptoms of Parkinson’s disease starts, example-patient may have chronic constipation, disorder of smell and sleep abnormalities.

Most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:

• Most commonly the initial symptoms are shaking (tremors) of the hands, which occurs when they are resting, less commonly, tremors of lip and toes may be observed
• Rigidity or tightness- people feel the body is stiff, and they must put efforts to move
• Bradykinesia or slowness- all movement of body may become gradually slow, rarely the thinking process and response also- most often this is dumped as due to old age
• Inability to maintain balance or postural instability-person tends to lose balance while walking or tends to fall.

All these symptoms slowly progress over months to years, many other symptoms may add on over time, like forgetfulness, low volume speech, difficulty speaking, behavioral changes, abnormal sleep pattern, change is the walking style, stooped posture etc. Diagnosis is mainly by clinical examination of patients, Sometimes DAT scan, MRI scan may help Most Parkinson’s disease is due to unknown cause (Idiopathic) where after extensive investigation, cause may not be identifiable. Many other disorders of the brain can mimic like Parkinson’s disease which needs to be identified. And these may not respond to treatment satisfactorily. It is very important to investigate and identify if there are any secondary causes. As far as the treatment is concerned, even though this disease was described more than 200 years ago, so far there is no permanent cure. It requires a multidisciplinary approach which includes Neurologist, neurosurgeons, psychiatrist, and good rehabilitation team. Whatever treatments are available will help to control the symptoms and try to give good quality life to the patient Both drug treatment and surgical treatments are available. 

Rural Healthcare Needs People, Not Just Infrastructure

Bridging the Human Gap in Rural Healthcare: Why India’s Next Health Investment Must Be in People, Not Just Infrastructure

New Delhi, 20 June, 2025 – Despite rapid infrastructure development across rural India, one critical gap continues to undermine progress in public health: the absence of a robust rural healthcare workforce. While nearly 65% of India’s population lives in rural areas, these regions have access to only a fraction of the country’s physicians—often just 3 per 10,000 people, compared to 13 in urban zones.

Real change begins not with more infrastructure, but with investing in people. Without trained doctors, nurses, and frontline health workers embedded within rural communities, even the best-equipped facilities cannot deliver meaningful health outcomes. It’s time to shift the focus from simply building hospitals to building a resilient, motivated, and well-supported rural healthcare workforce.

The problem starts early. Only 132 of India’s 480 rural districts have medical colleges, limiting access to education for rural youth. And even when rural students train in urban centres, few return—citing poor infrastructure, limited opportunities, and lack of support. This results in critical service gaps, from maternal health to emergency care.

There is an urgent need for a comprehensive roadmap to address the rural healthcare workforce crisis. Key solutions include expanding localised training and medical education, offering scholarships to students from rural areas, and creating meaningful career development incentives that make rural service both viable and rewarding. Equally critical is the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to scale these efforts effectively. The roadmap also underscores the importance of empowering community health workers—like ASHAs and ANMs—by providing them with better training, tools, and the respect they deserve, recognising their pivotal role as trusted health anchors within their communities.

“Healthcare in rural India can’t be fixed by infrastructure alone—it needs people. By investing in local talent and making rural service both meaningful and sustainable, we can create a healthcare system that truly reaches every corner of the country,” said Dr Sunil Khetrapal, Director- AHPI. “This is not just a healthcare challenge, it’s a nation-building opportunity.”

The message is clear: if India wants to build a healthier, more equitable Bharat, it must prioritise the people who care for it. That means rethinking how rural health professionals are trained, supported, and empowered—so no one is left behind because of where they live.