What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a sense of nervousness, worry, or uneasiness you feel when you have to face a wide range of issues and situations. Like exams or a public speech or interview. It is a response to stress. We often don’t hear about the ‘good anxiety’ that actually helps and motivates us. It acts as a protection against any potential threat by keeping us alert and once the thing that has been causing you to worry is over you stop worrying about it and move forward.

Anxiety does help us in dealing with certain situations. So when do we know that we need to seek help for anxiety?

What are anxiety disorders?

It is essential to understand it is normal to feel anxiety during times of change or the occurrence of big events in your life. Normal or ordinary anxiety comes and goes and does not hinder your everyday life.

But with anxiety disorder, the fear and worry are so intense and present for such a prolonged time (for months or even years) that it affects the functioning of daily activities.

Anxiety disorder can obstruct you from doing what you enjoy and sometimes even cause difficulty in leaving the house in extreme cases.

The most prevalent type of emotional disorder is anxiety disorder, which can affect everyone. But the American Psychiatric Association reports that women are more likely than men to be given an anxiety disorder diagnosis.

What are the types of Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is an essential part of various disorders. Such as:

• Social anxiety disorder- Social interactions cause irrational anxiety

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder- Excessive Thoughts, called obsession lead to repetitive behaviours (compulsive)
• Separation anxiety disorder- Fear of being apart from or losing an attachment figure

• Illness anxiety disorder- Obsession with the idea of having a serious but undiagnosed medical condition

There are a number of mental health conditions that may have anxiety as a symptom which include:

• Major depressive disorders- Depression and anxiety have a strong relationship between them. They often tend to be interconnected

• Post-traumatic stress disorder- The anxiety that follows a traumatic event
• Substance use disorders- Anxiety can lead to the usage of substance abuse

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The way one experiences anxiety may differ from person to person but the common symptoms include racing of the heart, butterflies or churning of the stomach, difficulty in breathing or dissociating.

The symptoms of anxiety can include:

1. Anxious or what if thoughts; worrying about situations that are out of control
2. Restlessness
3. Fatigue
4. Difficulty falling asleep
5. Unexplained body pains
6. Irritability

Anxiety can present itself in various ways. It becomes important to be mindful of the symptoms and if it is hindering you from performing your day to day activities.

What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

Whether or not you know how a panic attack or anxiety attack feels like, you must have heard of them. There is a difference between panic and anxiety attacks although they might sound and seem similar to the majority. To understand the difference let us first explore what each of these attacks are in detail.

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that causes severe physical symptoms like sweating , shortness of breath, chills, hot flashes and so on. It often peaks within 5 to 20 minutes.

The physical symptoms can feel like a heart attack and it may get worse if one is more worried or feels frantic that it is a heart attack. Panic attacks and its symptoms can vary from person to person and they can even change over a period of time.

The common symptoms of a panic attack include:

1. Fear of losing control
2. Nausea
3. Sweating
4. Hot flashes
5. Numbness and tingling of hands, face and feet
6. Churning or upset stomach
7. Feeling of impending doom
8. Sudden weakness in the body
9. Fear of dying
10. Shortness of breath

The reason or the trigger for the panic attack is often unknown at least at that moment.

You can experience panic attacks and anxiety attacks at the same time. For example, you could be experiencing anxiety about some stressful situation and maybe, when the situation arrives, it can cause a panic attack.

There is an overlap in the symptoms that one faces during a panic and anxiety attack, therefore there can be a difficulty in identifying or differentiating the attack from one another. But understanding the following aspects can help in being more mindful and knowing what you are experiencing;

1. Cause: More than often, anxiety is related to something that is viewed as stressful or threatening. On the other hand panic attacks are not always triggered or cued by stressors.
2. Intensity: Anxiety attack is not sudden. It can be something you could be undergoing while you are carrying on with your day but panic attack comes out of the blue.
3. Physical Symptoms: Comparatively, the physical symptoms of a panic attack are much more severe and intense than an anxiety attack.
4. Time Frame: Potentially, an anxiety attack can last longer than panic attacks, Sometimes depending on the severity, an anxiety attack can last for days.

What are the treatments for anxiety?

There are two major treatments present for treating an anxiety disorder. One being medication and the other being psychotherapy. It is suggested and said that one can benefit the most from the combination of these two.

Under psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is considered to be the most effective form to treat anxiety disorders. It emphasises on changing the perception of the individual and teaching or figuring out coping mechanisms that are healthy and work best for the individual.

Various types of medications are used to treat or help with the symptoms depending on the individual’s experience with the anxiety disorder. It is essential to note that certain antidepressants are also used to treat or manage anxiety disorders, as mentioned earlier, depression and anxiety are interconnected. Sometimes, the psychiatrist can prescribe medication that acts as an sos, for emergencies.

Is anxiety disorder curable?

Anxiety disorder is not curable. It is manageable. If one can see the thoughts that seem real getting triggered and the anxiety response when it is present, they can manage themselves in dealing with Anxiety way more effectively. Getting the right treatment for your anxiety is important. The psychiatrist will work with you and find what medication works the best for you, helping you manage the symptoms. While your symptoms are being managed through medication, therapy helps you in shifting perceptions and learning to cope healthily.

Although ordinary anxiety is normal, if you find yourself struggling with anxiety for a long period of time and to an extreme that it is affecting your daily life, consult a mental health professional.

If you find yourself struggling with anxiety on a daily basis and have difficulty in functioning, it is essential to consult a psychiatrist. Time and again we are reluctant to seek help for mental health because of the stigma surrounding it. Mental health is just as important as physical health.We at Zoi have a psychiatry department where we have been relentlessly working on challenging the stigma around mental health. You are welcome to reach out to us, where you matter, for any kind of mental health profession help.

Constipation is a problem we have all faced at some point in our lives. Whether it is caused because of traveling to a new place or difficulty in adjusting to new food or having a new lifestyle. But can constipation be dangerous? What causes it in the first place? On the occasion of Constipation Awareness Month, a global healthcare event observed in the month of December, let us learn more about this condition.

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It is a condition where you have difficulty passing stools regularly or the inability to empty your bowel completely. It often occurs when stools remain in the large intestine for an extended period of time, the colon absorbs water from the stool excessively causing them to become hard and dry.

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week is generally described as constipation. You feel or have the impression that you did not completely empty your bowels.

Constipation intensity varies from person to person . Many people only have constipation for a brief period of time, but for others, it can be long-term or chronic illness that causes substantial pain in abdomen, gut and lower back. Chronic constipation can also cause people to put a lot of strain on bowel movements.

What are the causes of constipation?

Constipation results from the colon absorbing too much water from waste (stool/poop), which dries out the stool and makes it hard and challenging to push out of the body.

Normally, nutrients are absorbed as food passes through the digestive tract. Moving from the small to the large intestine, commonly known as the colon, is the partially digested food (waste). This waste contains water, which the colon absorbs to produce stool, a solid substance. Constipation can cause food to pass through the digestive system too slowly. As a result, the colon has an extended period of time too much time to absorb water from the waste. The stool becomes stiff, dry, and challenging to push out.

There are common lifestyle ways that cause constipation which include

1. Eating low-fiber meals.
2. Not getting enough fluids (dehydration).
3. Not working out enough.
4. Alterations to your daily schedule, such as traveling, eating, or sleeping at various times.
5. Consuming a lot of milk or cheese.
6. Stress.

There are certain medications that can cause constipation sometimes like:

1. Strong pain medicines. Like narcotics containing codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen.
3. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
4. Antacids containing calcium or aluminum.
5. Iron pills.
6. Allergy medications, such as antihistamines (like diphenhydramine [Benadryl]).
7. Certain blood pressure medicines, including calcium channel blockers (like verapamil, diltiazem [Cardizem] and nifedipine) and beta-blockers (like atenolol).
8. Psychiatric medications, like clozapine and olanzapine.
9. Anticonvulsant/seizure medications, such as phenytoin and gabapentin.
10. Antinausea medications, like ondansetron.

There are certain health conditions that also cause constipation such as:

1. Diabetes
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Colorectal Cancer
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
5. Neurological disorders
6. Multiple organ diseases and so on

How is constipation Treated?

The cause, duration of time you’ve been suffering from constipation, and severity of your symptoms all influence how you should be treated for constipation.

By altering one’s food and way of living, the symptoms can frequently be relieved.

The following is a list of ways you can deal with constipation

1. Dietary and lifestyle modifications are frequently advised. This will frequently make the situation better without the need for medicines.
2. Increase your daily fiber intake. You ought to consume 18 to 30 grams of fiber per day. Numerous fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains are high in fibre.
3. Increase the bulking agents in your diet, such as wheat bran. Your stools will become softer and simpler to pass as a result of this.
4. Drink a lot of water to ward off dehydration.
5. Increase your exercise frequency, for instance, by going for a daily run or walk.
6. Maintain a schedule for when and where you can go to the bathroom, including the time of day. Follow the normal cycle of your bowels and act immediately when the desire arises.
7. When using the restroom, try placing your feet on a low stool so that your knees are higher than your hips; this may help you pass stools more easily.
8. Your doctor might be able to recommend a different medicine if the one you’re taking could be making you constipated.

If food and lifestyle modifications are unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest an oral laxative.

Laxatives are a kind of medication that aids with stool passage. There are numerous varieties of laxatives, and each one affects your digestive system differently.

Typically, your doctor will start you on a laxative that forms bulk. These function by promoting fluid retention in your stools. Since they won’t likely dry up, fecal impaction won’t likely result. Bulk-forming laxatives also soften your feces, making it easier for you to pass them.

Among the frequently prescribed bulk-forming laxatives are methylcellulose, sterculia, and ispaghula husk. Drink a lot of water while using this kind of laxative, and avoid taking it right before night. Usually, it takes 2 to 3 days before a bulk-forming laxative starts to work.

When do you have to see a Doctor for Constipation?

Although constipation is a common condition and nothing to worry about, there are times when you need to visit the doctor. If there is blood in your stool or you are experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting, or a family history of colon cancer.

You must visit your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

1. Rectal bleeding
2. Unexplained weight loss
3. Persistent tiredness
4. Constipation that lasts longer than 14 days without improvement

Can Constipation Become Dangerous?

Constipation can get serious if it is left untreated. Additionally, having a bowel movement may be painful and require undue effort if you have chronic constipation. More significantly, it might eventually result in major issues including hemorrhoids and anal fissures if it is disregarded and not treated (torn skin in the anus). Knowing the warning signs of constipation helps with suitable and prompt therapies because relevant symptoms and complications significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life.

Introducing Zoi

If you are facing a persistent problem with bowel movement, it is important to seek the necessary treatment to avoid complications. If the pain hasn’t been relieved even after a few visits to the doctor and regular checkups, you should look up to any gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive system problems.

Zoi hospital’s gastroenterologists will thoroughly diagnose your cause of constipation performing blood, urine, and stool tests to make sure about the type of constipation and treat you with the best care possible. With expert doctors and advanced technology, we are here to treat you with care and empathy. Located in Attapur, Ameerpet and Somajiguda, Zoi Hospitals provide you with precise and efficient treatment that keeps you in good health all time.

Zoi hospitals, in association with ‘Friends of Elderly’ conducted a webinar to help the senior citizens understand the ease and convenience of telemedicine and appreciate the importance of seeking medical help while staying safe at their own homes. The session, led by Dr.Vibha Biyani, Director of Zoi Hospitals covered Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment and Maintenance aspects of health care in the context of teleconsultations.

With the COVID-19 crisis unfolding rapidly, most companies are experiencing a slump in growth and in some sectors, the growth has been arrested altogether. While the rankings were done before COVID hit the world, the list is indicative of those companies with buffers who may survive the fallout and that gives us hope.

Speaking on this accomplishment, Dr Ramesh Chandra Katragadda, MD at Zoi Hospitals said, “I thank all the stakeholders of Zoi Hospitals who have made this commendable achievement possible. At Zoi, we are constantly striving to achieve an alignment with our milestones and pushing our boundaries to accomplish them. I think this ranking is an indication that we are in the right direction.”

“Growth is not by mere chance or luck but it is the result of forces working together. I think that the growth of an organisation is linked to its people and I am really very glad to see Zoi Hospitals ranked among FT High-Growth companies”, said CA Chandrakala, Finance Manager at Zoi Hospitals.

Looking forward, Dr Sanjay Tapadia, Director, Zoi Hospitals says, “What is ahead is to strengthen our cash flows, create new revenue channels and expand into new service delivery platforms”.

Moreover, “the healthcare sector in India will witness exponential growth. Zoi Hospitals will be ahead of the curve because its leaders are driven by Sincerity of Purpose: they have created a culture of patient-centric excellence, with a  team that aspires to take the healthcare experience to a whole new level. Zoi’s sustainable growth potential is based on a solid foundation of Trust”, said Richard B Saldanha, Advisory Board Member of Zoi Hospitals.

Zoi Hospitals’ unique approach to treatment of patients and intelligent design lends itself to offering great and affordable healthcare at reduced overhead costs. By focusing on acquiring expert staff and maximising patient’s comfort, Zoi Hospitals has managed to get rid of all the extra frills that unnecessarily increase expenses.

Throughout Dr Ramesh’s career in medicine, he observed that there could be significant changes that one could make to the healthcare industry in terms of affordability to the patient by the elimination of unnecessary overhead costs. He observed that this could be achieved by making changes starting from the way a hospital is constructed right until the departmentalisation.

Dr Sanjay Tapadia, Director and Centre Head, Zoi Hospitals, says “The two principles that bring out the essence of Zoi Hospitals, Attapur, include the elimination of large scale operations while catering to about 90% of the patients with sufficient support from all the departments at an affordable cost.”

We are all aware that as an organisation becomes bigger, administration staff and management required to maintain it also becomes more in number and hence the overhead and utility costs rise. While this continues to happen, the onboarding of core members like doctors and nurses takes a hit.

The founders of Zoi Hospitals have recognised many such factors and have facilitated the operations of the hospital in such a way as to reduce costs for the patients and also aid in increasing the workability of the entire organisation.

Unique methodologies that Zoi Hospitals is following to stay in alignment with its philosophy:

1. Fewer beds, More space:

Nowadays, due to the technological advancements and home therapies, the Average Length Of Stay (ALOS) of a patient in the hospital has reduced to a maximum of 2-3 days as compared to 5-10 days in earlier times. This research point paved the way to designing spacious and larger wards with fewer beds to optimise the patient’s stay even if it is just for 2-3 days.

We have decided to have huge spaces to help the patient have a comfortable and rehabilitating stay while in the hospital.

At Zoi Hospitals, the average bed space for a patient is 70-100 square feet (almost equal to a single room) and consists of only 100-beds but there is enough room for emergency cases and sufficient medical personnel taking care of patients due to the unique way in which the functionality of the organisation has been planned.

2. Lesser administration, Affordable costs:

When we say the operations of the organisation isn’t as large as compared to corporate hospitals, it doesn’t mean the pay scales are lower or the equipment and medical facilities are less advanced. We are on par with most corporate hospitals in all aspects and sometimes even ahead of them as the thought process behind building Zoi Hospitals is unique and sustainable for both patients and the hospital alike.

3. Smart departmental grouping, Reduced overhead costs:

As the idea was to set-up a lean organisation, following this ideology in every step of the process has helped bring out the philosophy in every department of the hospital.

The departments in the hospital have also been carefully chosen depending on a variety of factors like cross-functionality, 24×7 availability etc.

Hence, departments like physiotherapy and outpatient department that need not be open in the night are grouped in the infrastructure of the hospital. These departments constitute one of the floors of the hospital and as they are non-functional in the nights, the overhead costs greatly reduce due to this.

4. Quick treatment, Reduced Patient cost:

We believe in treating the patient as soon as possible and sending them to the comfort of their home for a safe and happy recovery. Being a patient-centric hospital, we focus on the patient’s spend and hence a quick treatment helps in less cost for the patient.

Setting a limit on the number of days a patient stays in the hospital also allows all the departments of the organisation to function efficiently and in coordination with each other to make sure the patient’s admission-discharge process is done seamlessly and all concerns are met effectively.

5. Regular fumigation of operation theatres, lower infection rates:

Another speciality at Zoi Hospitals is also the unique method followed to keep a tab on the infection rates in the operation theatres. An operation theatre is like the human body. It also needs some downtime to recharge and clean up.

The theatre rooms at Zoi Hospitals are shut by 10 PM in the night. While they are shut, they undergo fumigation and recharge process that brings down infection rates. In most hospitals, operation theatres are functional 24×7 and hence it is most probable that the infection rates are high.

Emergency cases are taken care of in the operation theatre closer to the casualty so that the main operation theatres can remain shut at night.

Many other uniquely developed methods like the ‘Doctors lounge’ that helps doctors from different departments interact and create more cohesiveness, having one pharmacist at night, instead of two pharmacists increases the workability of the organisation and also reduces unnecessary stocking costs.

1. Hand washing is crucial

The most important thing to keep in mind is to wash your hands frequently and properly. The right way to wash hands is like how they do it in the hospitals – using anti-bacterial soap, lukewarm water, and washing for 30 seconds. Hand wash is the first action of defence against infections. Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, after you cough or sneeze into them, after doing any outdoor activity, and whenever they look dirty. In case you’re stuck in a situation where there is no means for you to wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer. The most microbe-laden objects we handle without being aware of the risk, are currency notes/coins and telephones.

2. Take your antibiotics as per the prescription

Antibiotics prevent infections, so be sure to take them as advised by the doctor. You may feel like dismissing them if they upset your stomach, or if you feel like you’re cured, but it is crucial that you finish the entire prescription as advised by the doctor to stay infection free. According to expert doctors and surgeons at Zoi Hospitals, quitting antibiotics too soon may put you at risk of developing a strain of infection which will be resistant to that antibiotic, which means that you can be sicker after not finishing the antibiotic course than you were before you took it.

3. Your wound should be clean & dry

We can’t stress enough on how important keeping the wound clean and dry is. Regular dressing changing with aseptic precautions as per doctor instructions is important.

4. Quit smoking now

Smoking has many adverse effects, and this is one of them. Smoking makes a person more prone to infections during the recovery period after the surgery. Additionally, smokers have scarring and heal slower. The slower the wound closes, the higher your chances are to catch an infection. In fact, scarring is so worse in smokers that plastic surgeons test for nicotine prior to surgery.

5. Resist the urge to use ointments

While it may feel soothing to use ointments and lotions on the wound, it’s always a good thing to not apply anything that your doctor has not recommended. Many ointments keep the skin moist and create an ideal environment for the germs to grow. Avoid using creams, ointments, lotions, and harsh soaps on the wound. They can cause irritation and dryness which lead to infections.

Always remember before taking any action, consult a doctor or a surgeon for their advice.
Zoi Hospitals has a team of expert doctors and surgeons who will guide you throughout the surgical and recovery process. With their experience and treatment, they will make sure that you recover as soon as possible. To know more about the medical departments in Zoi Hospitals, click on this link https://zoihospitals.com/

It is just like catching an infection or getting fever. Something you had no part to play in. So the most important thing to remember about Depression is burning the stigma around it.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, someone who has depression and a chronic illness like Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia or Chronic Back Pain may be less likely to take regular treatment, and more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, eat poorly, neglect physical activity, as a direct cause or consequence of the pain. This greatly affects his / her psychosocial well-being, thereby leading to poorer outcomes in the management of the illnesses.

Theories About Pain & Depression

• Depression leads to lifestyle changes that can worsen pain: Less physical activity, less social participation, smoking and/or consumption of alcohol and poor sleep quality. These factors have been shown to aggravate pain and even poor bone health.
• Clinically depressed patients with muscle, bone or joint diseases have an extremely low self-esteem and develop a negative defeatist attitude to life. Their mind and body is active but mobility is impaired and/or painful, further complicating their ability to function in life. Interestingly, research suggests that being depressed can worsen the pain. It is a vicious cycle.
• Both conditions – pain and depression, have common biological pathways and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Stress, anxiety and depression influence pain levels. The pain you experience due to your physical illness is usually amplified due to depression.

How Can You Recognise Depression?

Depression is a medical condition that requires treatment and help by a doctor. Seek help if you have any of the following symptoms of depression:

• Feeling low spirited for two weeks or more.\
• Relationships and job getting severely affected.
• Having thoughts of harming yourself.
• Having persistent physical symptoms like headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pains.
• Sleeplessness or oversleeping.
• Loss of appetite or overeating.
• Frequent tears and sadness.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Little appetite for things you used to enjoy.
• Chronic fatigue and irritability
• Restlessness or moving about in slow motion.
• A feeling of worthlessness or pervasive guilt.

What Should You Do About Depression?

• Seek Counselling: Your doctor will suggest you medicines for your physical ailment to subside. But if the pain is overtaking you mentally, don’t hesitate from reaching out for help. Approach a psychologist or a therapist. It is important that you recognize and acknowledge that you are suffering from depression. This will help you balance your physical and mental health. For moderate to severe depression, medication plus psychotherapy is required with collaboration between a psychiatrist and psychologist.
• Talk About It: Join arthritis or chronic disease related self-management or support group to learn coping techniques and understand that you’re not alone in it. Even speaking to your closest family or friends can lead to a substantial decrease in mental distress and anxiety.
• Get Moving: Exercise is nature’s mood lifter. Regular physical activity, including exercises designed to improve range of motion (ROM), strength and cardiovascular fitness, have shown to relieve depression symptoms by actually increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and other mood-related brain chemicals.

Enjoying life is an achievable goal.