Ahmedabad: Stavya Spine Hospital, a renowned leader in exclusive spine care for over two decades, has introduced the Open Standing Weight Bearing MRI(Manufactured by Esaote SpA Italy) to its suite of advanced diagnostic tools. This innovative technology, designed specifically to meet the unique demands of spine diagnostics, enables imaging in standing, sitting and supine positions, offering new dimensions in evaluating spine conditions. The addition of this tool underscores Stavya’s commitment to ethical care, transparency, and advancing patient outcomes.

Transforming Diagnostics with Open Standing MRI
Unlike conventional MRIs, which require patients to lie flat for higher-resolution imaging, the Open Standing Esaote’s MRI allows for weight-bearing assessments of the spine. This machine is particularly suited to dynamic evaluations of conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal instability. For patients with claustrophobia or anxiety about traditional MRI machines, the Open Standing MRI provides a more comfortable and open environment. Additionally, this technology can also be used to image the knee and hip in weight-bearing positions, offering valuable insights into joint health.

Dr. Mirant Dave, Spine Surgeon at Stavya, explained, “Our diagnostic philosophy is rooted in understanding how the spine functions under real-life conditions. The Open Standing Esaote’s MRI helps us evaluate the behavior of the spine under load, which is invaluable when determining whether a condition requires surgical intervention or can be managed conservatively. This is another step in our mission to deliver ethical, evidence-based care.” The Open Standing MRI is an essential tool for conditions where dynamic, functional imaging is critical.

Advanced Spine Care at Stavya
Stavya Spine Hospital has set itself apart as a center of excellence for spine care, combining cutting-edge technology, expert medical professionals, and a patient-first philosophy. As the only hospital in India exclusively dedicated to spine care, Stavya offers a comprehensive range of advanced treatments and diagnostics:
• Robotics in Spine Surgery: Revolutionizing complex procedures with enhanced precision and minimal risk.
• Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Delivering minimally invasive solutions for faster recovery and reduced discomfort.
• German Advanced Physiotherapy: Employing structured, evidence-based rehabilitation techniques for long-term recovery.
These technologies and techniques have been meticulously integrated into Stavya’s framework to provide a holistic approach to spine care. Every patient’s journey—from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation—is tailored to their specific needs, ensuring optimal outcomes and long-term spine health.

Dr. Bharat Dave, Director and Spine Surgeon, remarked, “At Stavya, we have always prioritized integrating the best of technology, talent, and treatment methods to provide our patients with comprehensive spine care. The Open Standing MRI complements this approach, helping us better understand and treat conditions that require dynamic imaging.”

The Team of Experts at Stavya
Stavya Spine Hospital prides itself on its team of highly skilled spine surgeons and physiotherapists who are dedicated to providing the best care. The surgical team includes:
• Dr. Bharat Dave
• Dr. Mirant Dave
• Dr. Ajay Krishnan
• Dr. Hitesh Modi
• Dr. Shivanand Mayi
• Dr. Raviranjan Rai
• Dr. Mukesh Patel
• Dr. Devanand Degulmadi

Together, this team brings decades of experience and expertise in managing complex spine conditions through advanced surgical techniques and ethical decision-making. The team’s collaborative approach ensures every patient receives the most effective care, whether surgical or conservative.

Stavya also boasts a world-class physiotherapy team, led by Dr. Akruti Dave, that works in close coordination with the surgeons to create comprehensive rehabilitation plans. Their focus is on ensuring patients regain optimal mobility and strength, whether recovering from surgery or managing their condition through conservative means.

Physiotherapy and Spine Health Checkups
Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of spine care, and Stavya emphasizes its role in both surgical and non-surgical treatment plans. Tools like the Open Standing MRI are invaluable for understanding a patient’s functional limitations and tailoring rehabilitation programs accordingly.

Dr. Akruti Dave, Head of Physiotherapy, shared, “Physiotherapy plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes. The Open Standing MRI helps us assess the mechanical and functional aspects of the spine more effectively, which is essential in designing personalized recovery plans. It also enhances our ability to help patients who are pursuing conservative care options.”

In addition to rehabilitation, Stavya has introduced Spine Health Checkups, a comprehensive program aimed at early detection and prevention of spine-related issues. The Open Standing MRI plays a central role in these checkups by offering dynamic imaging that uncovers subtle abnormalities and helps guide proactive treatment.
Dr. Akruti Dave added, “Spine Health Checkups are critical for detecting problems early, especially in individuals with sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, or chronic back pain. The Open Standing MRI allows us to offer patients a detailed understanding of their spine health, enabling timely interventions that can prevent further complications.”

Two Decades of Trust and Global Impact
Stavya Spine Hospital has built a legacy of trust over 20 years, treating thousands of patients from across India and the world. Patients turn to Stavya not only for its advanced technology but also for the hospital’s unwavering commitment to ethical, patient-first care.
In addition to its clinical impact, Stavya has been instrumental in training over 100 spine surgeons, many of whom now practice internationally. This focus on education and mentorship has helped Stavya contribute to the global advancement of spine care, ensuring its expertise reaches far beyond the hospital’s walls.

A Vision for the Future: Asia’s Largest Exclusive Spine Hospital
Looking to the future, Stavya is preparing to launch a new Center of Excellence in 2025, which will be the largest exclusive spine hospital in Asia. This landmark facility will expand Stavya’s capabilities, featuring advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, increased capacity for patient care, and dedicated spaces for research and education. This project underscores Stavya’s ambition to remain at the forefront of spine care globally.
Mrs. Amita Dave, Managing Director, stated, “As we prepare for this new chapter, our focus remains on maintaining the trust of our patients. The Open Standing MRI is more than just a new diagnostic tool—it reflects our values of transparency, ethics, and a commitment to providing the most appropriate care for each individual.”

The Value of Transparency in Diagnostics
At Stavya, transparency is central to its care philosophy. The introduction of the Open Standing MRI is no exception. By openly sharing the specifications and purpose of this tool, Stavya ensures patients understand its role in their diagnostic journey.

Dr. Preety Krishnan, Radiologist, explained, “The Open Standing MRI is an important tool for specific spine conditions that require imaging in natural, weight-bearing positions. It’s ability to provide functional insights into the spine’s behavior is invaluable for certain diagnoses. This transparency helps patients feel confident and informed about their care.”

The post Stavya Spine Hospital Introduces Advanced Spine Diagnostics appeared first on Health Vision.

Jeeva Raksha Trust is a special purpose vehicle by RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES @ SWAMI VIVEKANANDA YOUTH MOVEMENT {SVYM} The team has rolled out unique health services to serve the people of Karnataka. This is a flagship initiative by RGUHS @ SVYM in collaboration with the university of UTAH{ USA}.

The trust is training all the medical helpers to save people in time of a medical emergency, which is the need of the hour. They are given hands-on training so they can save precious lives.  One of our trained teachers wrote to us saying that she could save a child’s life as he was bitten by a deadly Viper, in the nick of time. All thanks to the training she underwent.

Where do you find JEEVA RAKSHA team? 

Well, wherever there is a natural calamity and medical emergencies. The team is trained rigorously in life saving techniques. Well qualified nurses, front line doctors, medical staff in the ICU are all being trained with significant, additional skill sets to save lives.

Jeeva raksha course offers in house training specially for Covid patients and life saving techniques to the medical staff. We want to make this a model of Karnataka, where other states may follow suit. We regularly get relevant training in collaboration with IIT Madras.

ECLS, that is Emergency care and Life Support Training is given to freshers in the medical field in simulated environments. Medical Fraternity can be upskilled by giving quality education, research and the highest standard of training. Jeeva Raksha course focuses on recognizing and managing critical illness that are common in Indian setting as mentioned above. This is not only India’s first Comprehensive Emergency Care and Life Support Training Course for medical doctors (for both primary practitioners and specialists) but also the FIRST University recognized Emergency Care Skills Certificate program in the World.

The world is again reeling under the new OMICRON, mutated variant of Corona. People are perplexed about another sweep by the deadly virus. Some say it is the third wave, ? If so, what is our preparedness? There are hundreds of questions in the mind of the general public. This is where JEEVA RAKSHA TRUST comes into the picture. This is the opportune moment to ace the skills which are on offer.

Following are the contact numbers –

JeevaRaksha Trust
570,12th A Cross, 8th main Road, J P Nagara 2nd Phase,
Bengaluru, 560078.

Ph: 8075596740 /8088882424/9738037489/9448105044.

The post Jeeva Raksha Trust: Saving lives, Assuring care appeared first on Health Vision.

Emergency situations often come without any warning and most of us are unprepared or unsure about handling them. Grasping the situation quickly and responding to it in time in a right way is crucial to manage emergency situations. Therefore, knowing the basic tips is always handy and help in saving lives.

In one such case, Abdul, 54 years old received timely first aid treatment at home which saved him from suffering severe damage by stroke. Abdul’s daughter Fatima who had attended the workshop on “recognising stroke and act FAST” was able to recognise the ailment in her father in time and take him to the hospital in the golden hour. One night while going to get water from the kitchen, Fatima noticed her father standing still near the dining table. She went near him to ask if he needed something. But Fatima could not understand what her father was saying. She also noticed that he was finding it difficult to stand erect. Worried about Abdul’s condition, Fatima made him sit and called her husband for help. Both of them immediately called the ambulance. Meanwhile, Fatima remembered the tips from the workshop she had attended about stroke and just to clarify her doubt, she asked her father to smile which Abdul found difficult. While asked to lift both of his hands, one of his arms started drifting down. Realizing the emergency, Fatima called us and followed our instructions. Her immediate actions helped in getting Abdul to the hospital without much damage to his brain.

Fatima’s presence of mind helped in her father getting timely treatment. Similarly, getting to know about the emergency conditions which can arise at home, office or even at road and responding it in the right way always helps to reduce the impact of the condition.

It is not only severe conditions like stroke, cardiac problem need immediate attention. Health problems like fever, fractures also require a good management at home. Especially when there are children at home learning the management tips in an emergency can enable one to manage the situation better.

Similar was the case of Arpit, a 3-year-old baby who was rushed to the hospital after a fall from the stairs. Arpit was playing with the ball at home and stepped out to pick it up when it went outside the house. Although, his father followed him outside the house, Arpit while trying to catch the ball fell from the flight of stairs. Arpit injured his knee which started bleeding. When his father tried to lift him and make him stand erect, Arpit could not move his leg and started to scream in pain. As Arpit’s father had earlier researched and learnt a bit about handling the emergency situations at home with kids, he immediately cleaned the wound and tied a clean cloth to stop bleeding and also started applying ice pack to the knee area. Without moving Arpit’s leg much, his father got him to hospital. During the X-ray examination of his leg, it was noticed that there was a hairline fracture. The first aid provided by his father helped in reducing the impact of the fall which could have easily escalated to a more serious injury.

Listed below are the few tips to handle emergency situations like cardiac emergency, stroke, seizure, fractures, fever and dehydration.

Cardiac emergency:

Dos:

• Firstly, help the victim sit in a support position with their knees bent
• Immediately call emergency services
• If the victim is conscious and is not allergic to Aspirin, give them a 300mg tablet of Aspirin to chew
• Monitor the condition of the victim
• In case patient loses consciousness, start chest compression if you have completed BLS training

Don’ts:

• Make sure you do not let the patient go out of your sight
• Do not wait for the symptoms to become more manageable
• Do not give the victim anything to ingest by mouth since they may choke

Stroke:

Dos:

• Access patient using FAST- facial deviation/arm drift/slurred speech
• Call for medical help immediately
• Reassure the patient
• Lay the patient down ­with shoulders and head slightly elevated
• Place the patient on their left side in case breathing is shallow.

Don’ts:

• Make sure that you do not give them anything to eat or drink
• Avoid any movements by the patient
• Do not try to lift a patient if there is a suspected injury to back or neck in the absence of medical professional

In case of stroke, quick stroke treatment can save lives. It is important that the patient gets medical attention right away.

Seizure

Dos:

• Roll the victim on to their side to keep airways clear
• Clear any sharp or hard objects from the vicinity in order to avoid injury from a violent seizure
• In case the clothes are tight, loosen them around the neck
• Put a small pillow or a rolled up jacket under the head to provide padding

Don’ts:

• Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink
• Do not try to hold the patient down or restrain them, this can result in injury to them as well as you

Fractures

Dos

 Broken Arm:

• Ask the victim to support the injured arm with the other hand
• Make sure to immobilize the injured joint
• Place ice on the break to reduce swelling
• Monitor pulse in the arm or forearm

 Broken Leg:

• Help the victim lie down and support the leg at ankle and knee joints by hand or on a chair
• Steady the injured leg with padding
• Place rolled-up blankets outside the injured limb and between legs to work as splints

Don’ts

• Do not try to move or straighten a broken limb or change its position as this can cause further damage to nerves, blood vessels and soft tissues
• Do not allow the patient to put pressure on the injured limb directly or indirectly

Fever and Dehydration

Dos:

• Observe for 48 hours and if the fever does not go down, take the patient to the doctor since certain tests maybe required
• Please ensure the patient has plenty of fluids
• Make sure that there is cross ventilation in the room

 For emergencies like:

• Road accidents
• Sharp cuts and burns
• Swallowing of objects(in children)
• Pushing an object into the ear or nose (in children)

It is recommended to not wait and the patient has to be taken to the hospital immediately

Quite often during emergency situations we take decisions while in a state of panic and later regret it as we find out that our actions may have done more damage than good. This happens as many of us are not adequately trained to deal with emergency situations. Though emergency situations demand rapid action, we should not forget that the wrong decisions or actions can be fatal for the people involved. When we are aware of what to do when faced with an emergency situation, it can make a lot of difference in saving lives!

Dr.Saurav Das
Consultant – Emergency Medicine
Columbia Asia Hospital
Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru

The post  Emergency situations : How to handle effectively? appeared first on Health Vision.

With children at home it is important to take many precautionary measures to ensure their safety. From keeping the kids away from electrical items to fire, it is crucial for the parents to keep an eye on the kids and their daily activities. Accidents can occur if these precautions are taken lightly or neglected. In such cases, taking quick action can save lives. One such case is of Akriti (name changed), a 14-year-old girl who got exposed to toxic gas poisoning recently.

Akriti had gone to take a shower and had not come out for a long time. Alarmed by this, her parents started calling her and when there was no response, they broke open the door and found her lying unconscious. She was then immediately rushed to the emergency room at Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield. Doctors instantly attended to Akriti and all the resuscitative measures were begun.

Talking about the incident, Dr. Senthil Kumar SP, Consultant Paediatric, Neonatal & Cardiac Intensivist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield says, “The child was unconscious when she was brought to the emergency room and she was convulsing continuously. Initially, we thought that the fits could be due to seizure disorder or an intracranial or cardiac pathology. But after we did a blood gas analysis with a co-oximeter and we found that there was a very high content of carbon monoxide in her blood. Parents later  confirmed that they were using liquid petroleum gas geyser in the bathroom and were unaware of the possible contamination by toxic gases while using LPG gas geyser”.

“We were able to start the procedures immediately which avoided significant hypoxic injury in the brain which could otherwise have resulted in long-term neurological disability. The child was revived by giving high flow oxygen, fluid bolus, anti-convulsants and other supportive medications” he added.

In many parts of India, LPG geysers are still in use as it is more economical as compared to electrical geysers. The LPG contains Butane and propane, which on combustion produces carbon dioxide and water. But when there is a lack of oxygen, it produces carbon monoxide instead, which is a highly toxic gas.

Dr. Surendar S, Consultant Emergency Department, Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield who has attended similar cases in adults said, “They were brought to the emergency department with symptoms like headache, seizures, altered sensorium, unresponsiveness which later diagnosed as toxic carbon monoxide inhalation from the gas geyser with the help of co-oximeter studies. All the patients were treated with oxygen Therapy, IV Fluids and supportive measures.”

After all the necessary procedures, Akriti was discharged and is currently stable and recovering. Talking about the response from the hospital Akriti’s mother said, “We are extremely thankful to the doctors at Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield for the timely treatment. We were shattered to see our daughter’s condition and did not know what to do. Doctors attended Akriti immediately and the treatment saved her life”.

Gas poisoning –  some of the first aid measures:

In case you come across a case of gas poisoning, below are some of the first aid measures to be taken immediately:

1. Take the person away from the site of gas poisoning to a well-ventilated area.
2. Turn off the source of leakage without harming yourself.
3. Take the person to the hospital without wasting any time (do not waste time in home measures to tackle carbon monoxide poisoning)
4. If the person is unresponsive, start basic life support technique (CPR).

The post Gas poisoning – first aid measures to be taken immediately appeared first on Health Vision.

Signs & symptoms

• This shock may occur within a few seconds to minutes.
• His chest feel tight and will have difficulty in breathing.
• His face may swell up.
• He may become unconscious.

Treatment

• Remove the sting
• If he develops shock, lay him on his back. Raise the feet, keep, the head low and turn him one side if he vomits.
• Keep him warm using blanket or rug
• Loosen tight clothing around the neck and waist.
• Do not give anything to drink/eat
• Shift him to the hospital

Foreign body in eye

Wings of insects, coal dust from steam engines, metal pieces from lathes, loose eye lashes get lodged under the eyelids. They may get lodged in the eye ball also.

Management

• A void rubbing the eye.
• Seat the casualty so that light falls on the eye. Pull the lower lid down if the F.B (Foreign Body) is floating, remove it with a narrow moist swab or corner of hand kerchief twisted to a fine point.
• If the foreign body is under the upper eye lid, ask the casualty to keep clean water in the hand and blink briskly in the water.

If unsuccessful

• Pull the upper lid forward and upward (fold) then using moist swab remove the foreign body.

Embedded foreign body

• If the foreign body is embedded in the eye particularly at the cornea (the black of the eye) do not touch it, apply a soft pad bandage to the eye and take the casualty to the hospital.

Penetrating foreign body

•  Apply the pad; take the casualty to the hospital.
• When corrosive acid, alkali or juices from plants are suspected, blink the eyelids under water a number of times or flushing the eye using water is the best first aid.
• Then apply the pad and take the casualty to the hospital.

To know more about first aid click here

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

The post Bites from bees- What can be done as a first aid for insect stings? appeared first on Health Vision.

A burn is an injury caused by

• Dry Heat – fire / a piece of hot metal
• Electric Burn – High tension wire
• Friction – Contact with revolving wheel / object.
• Corrosive Burn –

Acids – Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid

Alkaline– Strong Ammonia

Scald- is an injury caused by moist heat, such as boiling water, steam, hot oil/tar.

Effects of burn /scalds

• Reddening of skin – blister formation and destruction of the skin.
• Pain is very severe
• Burns leads to shock when burn is severe – septic infection.

Treatment

• Handle the casualty after washing your hands
• Avoid handling the affected area more than necessary
• Do not use lotion of any kind
• Do not remove / lift burnt clothing and do not break blisters
• Cover the area with neat & clean cloth
• Bandage firmly / if blister is present bandage lightly
• Immobile the affected area.

Degrees of burns

• I Degree – burn causes epidermal (surface layer of skin) injury with redness of the skin
• II Degree – burn causes partial destruction of dermise (inner layer of skin below epidermise) with damage to the epidermis giving rise to blister formation.
• III Degree – burn causes complete epidermal and dermal (inner layer of skin below epidermise) destruction and may extend even deeper.

Management of major burns

• Remove the patient to hospital as quickly as possible
• Nothing by mouth be given, as patient may require anaesthesia
• Any burns more than 30% needs hospitlisation.

Management- burns caused by corrosive chemicals

Acids

• Thoroughly flood the affected part with water
• Bathe the part freely with an alkaline solution (2 tsp of baking soda or washing soda in 1 pint of warm water.)
• Remove the contaminated cloth as quickly as possible

Alkaline

• Thoroughly flood the affected part with water
• Bathe the part freely with a weak acid solution
• Lime Juice
• Vinegar with equal amount of water
• Remove the contaminated cloth as quickly as possible
• Do not rub the affected eye/nor the other eye.

Helping a person whose clothes have caught fire

• Put out the flame either by using drinking water or any readily available water to douse the flame. Water cools the area & lessens the damage.

Or

• Wrap tightly with any piece of cloth, rug or coat.

Or

• Role on the floor and put of the fire.
• Do not allow the person to run about – more oxygen – more burn.

Management of minor burns

• Do not remove the clothing unnecessarily
• Do not open blisters.
• Cleanse the area with clean water
• Submerge/dip the burnt area in cold water
• Apply solution of salt and water
• Cover with dry dressing
• Do not apply any greasy substances
• Give warm drinks.
• Shift the casualty to the Hospital

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

To know more about first aid click here

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

The post First aid for – Burns & Scalds appeared first on Health Vision.

Choking

Treatment:

•  Remove the food or loose teeth struck at throat using finger. Encourage coughing.
• If this fails, the victim has to bend over with head lower than the chest. Slap him between the shoulder blades using heel of the hand.
• If this fails, stand behind him clench your fist and put the thumb inward between the navel and bottom of the breast bone.
• Hold your fist with other hand, pull towards you with a quick upward and inward thrust from the elbows.
• Repeat up to 5 times.

Drowning

Drowning is the result of complete immersion of the nose and mouth in water. Water enters the windpipe and lungs, clogging the lungs completely.

Treatment:

• Act quickly. Remove sea weeds and mud from the nose and throat Start artificial respiration.
• Turn the victim face down with head to one side and arms stretched beyond his head, raise the middle part of the body with your hands round the belly. This to cause water to drain out of lungs.
• Remove wet clothes, keep the body warm
• Shift the casaulty to the Hospital as quickly as possible.

Fainting

Unconsciousness which may be sudden or the casualty may feel giddy and limp before fall. This common incident is due to an insufficient supply of blood to the brain – due to fall in blood pressure (unpleasant sight, a fright or bad news can also causes fainting)

The warning signs are

• A person may become pale
• He may yawn frequently
• Skin is cold and damp
• Beads of sweat appear on the face, neck and hands.

Treatment

• Get the head quickly to the ground, legs up so that circulation of blood to the brain increases. See that there is plenty of fresh air.
• Loosen the clothing around the neck, waist and chest. 1901   Give tea/coffee to drink

Epilepsy

Treatment

• Remove any objects against which he might injure himself.
• Place the handle of a spoon or other hard object wrapped in a hand kerchief between his back teeth to prevent the casualty from tongue biting
• Wipe away the froth from the mouth

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

To know more about first aid click here

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

The post Remember these first aid to help the victim – Choking, Drowning, Fainting and Epilepsy appeared first on Health Vision.

Saturated solution of common salt or mustard and make him vomit.

Poisoning

Some substances when taken into the body in fairly large quantities can be dangerous to health or can cause death, such substances are called POISONS. There are three types or routes by which poisons can enter the body.

• Ingested poisons (oral)
• Inhaled poisons like gases (nose)
• Injected poisons (through skin)
• Ingested poisons – These are poisons which enter the body through mouth. There are two varieties in this
• Corrosive Poisons – Eg. Strong Acids and Alkalies
• Non-Corrosive Poisons – Eg. TIK-20, Folidol, etc. When you see the case of ingested poison, examine the casualty’s lips and tongue. If lips and tongue are burnt or discolored, it is an indication of corrosive poison. Otherwise, it is non-corrosive poison.

Saturated solution of common salt or mustard and make him vomit. Collect the vomits for further examination, give cold milk or white of egg to reduce burning sensation in the stomach and to reduce the rate of absorption of the poison respectively and then shift the casualty to the Hospital.

In case of corrosive poisons, “NEVER MAKE THE CASUALTY VOMIT”. Here, treat by means of dilution i.e. give plenty of water, it will dilute poison.

Snake bite

Out of 2500 different kinds of snakes only 200 are poisonous.

 Management

• Lay the patient down, give him complete rest, and never make him walk.
• If the bite is on the arm or leg apply a constrictive bandage (on the heart side) just tight enough to obstruct and stop the flow of the poison (Venom) to all parts of the body.

Application of constrictive bandage should be as follows

• Out of 60 seconds in a minute tie the bandage for 50 seconds loosen it for 10 seconds,
• Cover the wound with sterilized dressing.
• If breathing fails start artificial respiration.
• Shift the patient to the hospital (if the snake has been killed carry it to the hospital for identification).

 Dog bite

• Wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of soap and water
• Cover the wound with a dry sterile dressing
• Shift the patient to the hospital.

To know more about first aid click here

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

The post First aid for – poisoning, snake bite & dog bite appeared first on Health Vision.

What are the first aids? For Asphyxia (suffocation), Sun stroke, Electric shock and Electric burns.

Asphyxia (suffocation)

Asphyxia (suffocation) is a condition in which there is continuous want of oxygen in the circulating blood and as such the tissues are starved of oxygen.

Causes for Suffocation

• External and internal obstruction to the wind pipe eg. hanging, foreign body.
• Other causes,eg. drowning, chest injuries, injury to brain which control the respiratory activity like poisons, etc.

Signs & symptoms

Respiratory rate increases, Shallow breathing, Lips, tongue, face, fingers become blue (cyanosis), Froth may appear at the mouth, May become unconscious

Management

Remove the cause, if possible, Make air passages clear, and give artificial respiration

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

Artificial respiration

• Place the casualty face upwards. Lift the jaw upwards thus straightening the neck.
• Open the air way with the head tilt/chin lift manoeuver
• Maintain backward tilt of the head; pinch the patient’s nostrils together using the thumb and index finger.
• Open the patient’s mouth widely, take a deep breath, make a tight seal with your mouth around the patient’s mouth, and exhale into it
• Then remove the mouth and allow the patient to exhale passively.
• Watch for movement of the patient’s chest.
• Breaths are given slowly each lasting 1 to 1 l/z seconds.
• Adequate ventilation should be ensured, with every breath the patient’s chest rise and fall.

Sun stroke

• Arises as a result of direct sun light and heat rays of the sun.
• Mild case of sun stroke give superficial burns and blister formation, headache and temporary blindness as a result of glare.
• Aggravated sun stroke causes severe headache and vomiting.

Prevention

• Wear suitable clothing
• Wear Sun Helmets/ caps/ use umbrella
• Wear Tinted spectacles & protect the eyes.

Active treatment

• Use cooling Lotion
• Use Cold Cream
• If Vomiting & Headache – Shift to Doctor.

Electric shock

Management

• Stop the current by switching ‘off ‘
• If there is no way to switch ‘off ‘, stand on dry insulating material such as a thick layer of newspaper, a rubber mat and push the victim’s limbs away from the source with a broom or wooden stick, plank/ batten
• Can use looping a rope
• Do not touch the victim
• Do not use any wet items such as damp towel/mat.
• If the victim is unconscious and breathing put her / him in the recovery position.
• If victim is not breathing & heart is not working start Cardio
• Pulminory Resuscitation (CPR)

Electric burns

These are caused by high current & voltage at the point of contact passing through the body.

• When you see a casualty with electric burns, put the switch ‘off’, because high voltage industrial current can throw the First Aider to 16-18 meters away.

The voltage current not only cause local damage but affect respiratory and cardiac centre also.

Therefore, it may stop breathing and heart beat – Cardio Pulmonary — — Resuscitation (CPCR)

Management

• Separate
• Cover the burns
• Treat the shock
• Evacuate the casuality speedily to the hospital

To know more about first aid click here

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

The post What are the first aids? appeared first on Health Vision.

How to avoid head injury? Following certain preventive measures like wearing a helmet, avoiding rash driving and adhering to traffic rules.

A majority of the head injuries cases are preventable. Around 85% of the head injury cases are owing to road traffic accident which is avoidable. The other common causes are fall from height, accident at workplace and assault. Head injuries can range from mild to fatal.

Even in case of fatal injuries most of the patients can be saved if the treatment is started within 1 hour of the incident calling for alertness and timely action even by bystanders.

Some of the ways one could help a person who has had a head injury is by moving him/ her away from dangerous location (like fire, middle of the road etc), calling for help and shifting them to a hospital as early as possible. Though timely action may be able to save many, avoiding or prevention is always a better option.

Following certain preventive measures like wearing a helmet while riding, avoiding rash driving or ensuring adherence to traffic rules and driving safely as well as calling for help whenever an accident is spotted can go a long way in preventing casualties owing to head injury.

About Narayana Health:

Narayana Health is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and operates a network of hospitals across the country, with a particularly strong presence in the southern state of Karnataka and eastern India, as well as an emerging presence in northern, western and central India. Their first facility was established in Bengaluru with approximately 225 operational beds and they have since grown to 22 hospitals, 6 heart centres, 19 primary care facilities across India and an international hospital in the Cayman Islands. They believe that the “Narayana Health” brand is strongly associated with their mission to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare services to the broader population by leveraging economies of scale, skilled doctors, and an efficient business model.

Dr Vishwas H V
Consultant – Department of Neurosurgery
Narayana Health City
Bangalore

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