Food For Memory

A heart healthy diet: Good brain function requires a steady and continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered by blood that is pumped by the heart. To protect your heart and memory, eat a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, and be regularly active.

Omega 3 fatty acids: A study conducted under the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, found that participants who consumed fish at least once a week experienced a 10 percent slower decline in memory relative to those ate no fish. This improvement might be linked to the brain. It is mostly composed of a form of omega-3 fatty acid (DHA) also found in fish.

Water: Our brain is about 75% water, so it is obvious that a slight dehydration can affect our cognitive function. Stay well-hydrated and drink at least 10 glasses of water a day.    

Folic acid: A 3-year study conducted under Tufts University in Boston, revealed that participants who had high blood levels of homocysteine had a decline in memory, but those who consumed a diet high in folic acid (this reduces homocyteine levels) had protected memory.  Foods high in folic acid include fortified cereals, whole grains, dahl, liver, and dark leafy greens.

Breakfast: A study under the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences showed that children who ate breakfast with iron -rich food (meat, beans) and carbohydrates (bread, cereal) had better memory scores. Also, eating a breakfast with B-12 rich foods (eggs, dairy, meat) was correlated with the better average school grades.

Curcumin: Curcumin, a spice, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, may prevent memory loss. A study conducted under the Alzheimer’s Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, revealed that curcumin helped reduce memory deficit in the animals having Alzheimer’s and brain damage.

Plant foods: One 25-year Harvard Medical School study revealed that the participants who consumed relatively large amounts of vegetables over the years had slower decline in age-related memory-loss. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, C and beta-carotene, found in fruits and vegetables have also shown to protect memory by preventing oxidative stress.

Nada Jawahery is the Registered Dietician at Royal Bahrain Hospital and is a member of, and licensed by, the American Dietetics Association. For more information call 17246832 or email: Nada.Jawahery@royalbhrn.com

Curing Infertility

Infertility can be primarily defined as when a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. Approximately 15% of couples attempting their first pregnancy meet with failure. The male factor is at least partly responsible in about 50% of infertile couples.

It is very important to know that infertility is a couple’s problem and the evaluation and treatment of infertility considers the couple as a unit. They advise to young couples will be  to have a workup as soon as one year of unprotected sexual contact is over without success or in cases where the female partner is above 35 we suggest having the evaluation done after 6 months.

This initial evaluation shall be a simple semen analysis. The common conditions we see in the clinic are decrease in a sperm count, decrease in sperm motility or abnormalities of sperm morphology. The semen sometimes can also have infection like the urine which may indirectly affect the quality of semen.

The brain is an integrative center of the reproductive axis and regulates the production and secretion of hormones which stimulate testis to produce sperms and testosterone. In individuals with abnormalities at brain level or testes level the sperm production may be abnormal.

A common treatable cause of infertility is varicocele.Varicocele is a mass of enlarged and swollen veins that develops in the spermatic cord within the scrotal sac which causes a progressive time-dependent decline in semen quality. The normal testes are kept outside the body to maintain a 2 degree temperature lower than the body temperature. But in varicocele the venous blood pools around the testes causing defect in temperature regulation and also causes toxins to pool around which affects the semen quality. surgical treatment is the only option and In RBH we are providing a keyhole varicocelectomy.

About 50% of men who undergo varicocelectomy to correct infertility father children within the first year.

 Dr. Ravisankar Pillai, [MBBS, MD, FEBU] is a Specialist Urologist at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

Benefits of Chocolate

It’s a dream to be told that eating chocolate is healthy, and according to some studies, it is! More research is proving that chocolate provides healthful protection against heart disease.

The cocoa beans in chocolate contain natural flavonoids that are also found in teas, and some fruits and vegetables. These flavonoids are anti-inflammatory, cancer fighting anti-oxidants and have been associated with reducing the risk factors for heart disease by preventing cellular damage for instance. Additionally, flavanols improve blood pressure readings and vascular function and help prevent the formation of plaques and ruptures. Dark chocolate may also decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to provide cardiovascular benefits.

A study conducted under Dirk Taubert [MD, PhD] and colleagues, at the University of Cologne in Germany, showed that dark chocolate consumed without milk provides more levels of epicatechin, a particularly healthy compound found in chocolate, than consuming dark chocolate with milk. Another study, conducted under Taubert, revealed that participants with mild blood pressure had a significant drop (by an average of 5 points for systolic and an average of 2 points for diastolic blood pressure) after eating 100g of dark chocolate daily for two weeks, whereas those who ate white chocolate gained no benefits.

One study, conducted by Ian A. Macdonald [PhD], from the University of Nottingham Medical School in the United Kingdom, has shown that a diet high in flavanols may improve the blood flow to the brain, thus improving brain function and could be a potential treatment of vascular problems within the brain.

Generally, to gain health benefits, choose chocolate that contains at least 65% cocoa. Milk chocolate usually contains 15 to 25% cocoa and is lower in flavonoids. Most dark chocolates are made up of 50 to 80-plus percent cocoa.

As balance is key to good health, limit the amount of chocolate you eat to no more than 100 grams a day, which is the amount some studies show that provide heart health benefits. You may want to include this amount only if you are living an active lifestyle because it may provide up to 530kcals, or simply reduce it to just one square a day if you’re not very active. You can also obtain brain-boosting flavanols from green tea and black tea, apples, apricots, raspberries, purple grapes and other foods. These sources are much lower in calories and help you manage your weight better. In the follow-up, more long term studies need to be conducted to confirm the health benefits of chocolate.

Nada Jawahery is the Registered Dietician at Royal Bahrain Hospital and is a member of, and licensed by, the American Dietetics Association. For more information call 17246832 or email: Nada.Jawahery@royalbhrn.com

Invisible Braces? Yes, please!

Yes, we all want perfect teeth, but most of us resist due to the discomfort, look and cost of normal braces. So what if that were to change, would you want it? Dr. Rajeesh of Royal Bahrain Hospital apparently has the perfect alternative, ClearPath Aligners.

“They’re removable medical grade plastic appliances, patients wear them rather than brackets and wires. These are the modern alternative to braces.” Explains Dr. Rajeesh. He explains that through an impression, x-ray and photograph of the upper and lower teeth, “photofit” of the teeth and jaw structure is formed. A highly-trained technician works closely with the dentist to generate a model of the final look of the teeth and smile using a computer. “By using the most advanced computer package, you can see before the treatment begins where your teeth will move and how your smile will turn out!”

Aside from the obvious reasons to opt for this treatment (they’re invisible!) the doctor explains that you’ll need less chair time and shorter appointments as well as the fact that they’re more comfortable (wave goodbye to jaw pain and food stuck in braces!) clearly this treatment is going to rise in popularity. “This treatment is suitable for adults who want that perfect smile without the social repercussions of wearing adult braces. The dream smile is available for anyone!”

The doctor explains that in the majority of cases, aligners are used to realign teeth, correct a smile and provide a fast discrete enhancement. “I will warn that this is not a cure-all treatment, some significant issues may require treatment that is perhaps less comfortable to wear, but in the long run will provide far more sustainable results.”

Basically, putting together all the benefits of this treatment, the fact that its lower in cost, removable, aesthetically good-looking, as well as comfortable this is perfect for adults who are interested in a fast, low maintenance cosmetic solution.

ClearPath Aligners are available at Royal Bahrain Hospital, where Dr. Rajeesh Radhakrishnan [BDS, MDS] is the Specialist Orthodontist. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

What Are Those? Varicose!

We all know that veins conduct blood from different parts of our body to the heart. What we don’t know is that varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood. This results in unsightly appearance of the skin. In normal veins, valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. In varicose veins, the valves do not function properly, allowing blood to remain in the vein. Pooling of blood in a vein causes it to enlarge.

Symptoms include heaviness, aching pain of legs, swelling or brown discoloration or ulcers of the skin at the ankles.

Points to note are:

1. Maintain your ideal body weight to reduce excess pressure on your legs, have healthy diet high in fiber and low in fat and salt.
2. Avoid alcohol, which can cause the veins in your legs to dilate.
3. Avoid wearing tight clothing and excessive heat on your legs. Wear support compression leg stockings.
4. Do not cross your legs when sitting.
5. If you are working at a desk all day, try to get up and walk around every hour or so to allow the muscles to pump the blood out of the veins, avoiding sitting for extended periods of time. Flexing your ankles periodically will pump the blood out of your legs (simulating walking), so flex them 10 times and repeat every 10 minutes.
6. Elevate your legs when possible, keeping your feet positioned higher than heart level.
7. Exercise daily. Walking, climbing stairs, cycling and swimming

Treating early symptoms results in an excellent outcome, as untreated Varicose veins usually enlarge and worsen over time leading to  severe health problems like blood clots, sores or skin ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, ongoing irritation, swelling and painful rashes of the legs.  Your doctor will require a Duplex scan, and treatment options include surgery or Sclerotherapy or Laser ablation or Radiofrequency ablation.

In case a vein ruptures and starts to bleed, immediately elevate your leg and compress the area. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Dr.Renny Napoleon, [MBBS, MS, FRCS] is a General Surgery Consultant at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

The Scoop About Caffiene

Is caffeine good or bad for you? There is no research that shows that caffeine is hazardous to healthy individuals. It may cause some people to become hyperactive and anxious. However, there is no evidence that caffeine causes cancer or heart disease. Caffeine consumption has many benefits. Caffeine can increase alertness and ability to concentrate and focus. Many painkillers also contain caffeine because it opens up the blood vessels and makes is useful in relieving headaches. It can also be helpful in ending asthma attacks by relaxing constricted bronchial muscles as well.

However, there are some precautions with consuming caffeine.  Caffeine can be very addictive, which makes it difficult when trying to cut back. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches & irritability. In order to decrease the effects of withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended to reduce caffeine intake slowly & not to quit cold turkey. For example, make your coffee with have the amount of caffeinated coffee & make the other have decaffeinated.

Caffeine has also been linked to an increased incidence of miscarriage if consumed in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Would it be safer to cut down on the caffeine if you are trying to get pregnant or are in the first trimester of pregnancy? Probably. No specific guidelines are in place for the consumption of caffeine from the 4^th month onwards in pregnancy. However, it seems reasonable to limit consumption. Many mothers questions the effects of caffeine consumption while breastfeeding. Does it affect the baby? It may. Because some caffeine is excreted into breast milk, it may cause sleep disturbances & irritability in the baby. However, babies having varying tolerances to caffeine so there is no recommended amount. It depends on the response & sensitivity of your baby. Also, mothers consuming too much caffeine during breastfeeding, may decrease the baby’s ability to absorb iron from breast milk.

People with stomach ulcers, & irritable bowel syndrome should avoid caffeine as it may worsen symptoms. Also, if you are anemic, then limiting caffeine consumption would be wise because it may interfere with the uptake of iron from other foods. Bottom line is if you are a healthy individual, then there is no harm in the consumption of caffeine.

Nada Jawahery is the Registered Dietician at Royal Bahrain Hospital and is a member of, and licensed by, the American Dietetics Association. For more information call 17246832 or email: Nada.Jawahery@royalbhrn.com

My Baby Has A Fever!

As a pediatrician, the most important question that I ask any parent when they bring in their infant complaining of fever is:  “What do you mean when you say that your baby has fever?”

Most parents would answer that they touched their baby’s skin and it felt warm. This is not an accurate estimation of fever. Fever should be measured by a thermometer and I advise the parent to purchase a thermometer to measure their baby’s temperature.

There are different types of thermometers; the most common is the digital thermometer which is placed in the baby’s axilla or the aural thermometer which is placed in the baby’s external ear. The digital thermometers have been found to be an accurate tool to measure temperature.

What is fever?

Fever is an increase in body temperature that exceeds 38 C when measured from the rectum or 37.5 C when taken from the axilla. Temperatures are not usually checked from the mouth of children less than 2 years.

Estimation of fever by touch is not accurate because babies can be actually warm from excessive clothes but do not have an increase in body temperature. Therefore, the best way to be sure is to take the baby’s temperature.

When should I be concerned about fever?

Parents should consult a pediatrician immediately if the baby is less than 3 months old and if the baby is not feeding well. Older infants and children should also be examined by a pediatrician immediately if there is decreased feeding, a rash, abnormal movements noted, vomiting and the presence of headache in young children.

What should I do for my baby till I see a pediatrician?

The first step is be remove excessive clothing and wraps around the infant and check the temperature again. This may reduce the temperature. Another useful tip is to place wet towels over the baby’s head. Avoid giving the infants less than 3 months paracetamol till they are seen by a pediatrician.

Dr. Dunia Al-Hashimi [MBBS, DCH, CABP, MSc Hospital Administration] is the Consultant Pediatrician at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

Thyroid VS You

Heard of by many but understood by few, there are many myths and stories revolving around this tiny gland. The thyroid gland is located on the front part of the neck below the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple), normally weighing less than 20gms. The gland produces thyroid hormones, which regulate body metabolism. This means that that the thyroid gland determines everything from body weight to shape, and from feeding habits to your fertility (ability to conceive).

The thyroid gland functions by taking iodine, found in many foods, and converting it into thyroid hormones namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine; therefore every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% T4 and about 20% T3.

As the thyroid gland is under the control of the pituitary gland, when the level of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) which stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones.

Clinical studies show that soybean-related foods, peaches, strawberries, millet and cruciferous vegetables like cabbages and broccoli can potentially cause thyroid gland goiters. Defects in these delicate regulatory pathways may result in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid problem) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid problem). Symptoms include excessive fatigue, poor growth in children, poor school performance, constipation, and pain in the wrists accompanied by numbness of the hands. Further symptoms may extend to lack of sleep, hand tremors, nervousness and a fast heart beat rate.

The main risk hypothyroidism poses is during pregnancy, where it increases the chance of stillbirth or growth retardation of the fetus, or pregnancy complications. Whereas hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is known to cause fetal and maternal complications including poor weight gain and fast heart rate.

Seek immediate attention if you have these signs and symptoms:

·         Shortness of breath

·         Abdominal pain

·         Tremors

·         Confusion

·         Unexplained weight gain or loss

·         Unexplained fatigue

Early Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases is necessary to prevent long term complications.

Dr.Renny Napoleon, [MBBS, MS, FRCS] is a General Surgery Consultant at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

Know Your Prostate or it might Gnaw You

The prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It is normally 20 cc in size and lies at the neck of the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, which is a tubular structure that carries sperm and urine out of the penis. The job of prostate is to produce a thin, milky fluid that will make the ejaculate liquefy.

Prostate can get enlarged as we get older. The growth can be a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy that causes urinary symptoms or it can be cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation in which they grow and multiply without normal controls. The top 4 cancers of males in Bahrain are Bladder cancer, Prostate cancer, Lung cancer and Leukemia.

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but hormonal, genetic, environmental, and dietary factors are thought to play roles. Most prostate cancers initially are silent and have no symptoms. It has to be detected by active examination before it gnaws you. Prostate cancers are discovered by doing regular health examination like digital rectal exam and a blood test called prostate specific antigen blood test. If the clinical examination and blood test are abnormal you may need a biopsy to confirm prostate cancer.

The usual symptoms associated with prostate enlargement are difficulty in starting the urinary stream, increase in frequency of urination, pain while urinating, intermittent streams, night time urination, urine leakage, sense of incomplete emptying, blood in urine, painful ejaculation.

All the major International health agencies like European and American cancer societies recommend annual screening for men over the age of 50 yrs. and over the age of 45 yrs. those with a family history of prostate cancer.

Dr. Ravisankar Pillai, [MBBS, MD, FEBU] is a Specialist Urologist at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For more information or to book your appointment, call 1724 6800 or plan your visit at www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

Knowing Your Nose

Dr. Avneesh Kumar, ENT Specialist at Royal Bahrain Hospital, reveals that “facility-wise, the set-up at the Royal Bahrain Hospital is phenomenal, as it comes with the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment, especially so for the ENT department.

Patients undergo comprehensive video examination of their ear, nose and throat. Video-endoscopic examination is viewed live by the patients and is simultaneously recorded into their hospital e-file for future reference. For example, if a patient complains of hoarseness, we can examine and video-record the vocal cords to pinpoint where the problem lies. If suffering from a runny or blocked nose, the equipment allows us to look inside the nostrils on a magnified scale with no discomfort felt by the patient. The operative procedures are recorded and the patients are given a copy if they desire.”

Dr. Avneesh moves on to shed some light on common infections affecting our noses.

Nasal allergies, recurrent attacks of flu and sinusitis are quite prevalent in Bahrain. Most nasal allergies can be controlled with simple medication; however some patients are more prone to sinusitis due to abnormal anatomy of the nose and sinuses.

Sinuses are air containing chambers located around the eyes which are connected to the nose by their natural openings, allowing for ventilation as well as aiding drainage. A blockage at these openings leads to collection of sinus secretions and subsequent infections.

If the medical treatment fails, a video-endoscopy of the nose is done to illustrate on a magnified screen the small sinus draining areas (middle meatus) and to look for any anatomical abnormality. The pathologies within the deeper sinuses can be picked up on CT scan.

These abnormalities can be corrected by Video-endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Both pre and post-surgery videos are done and a copy of the same is given to the patient.

Dr.Avneesh considers Bahrain his second home, where he completed his primary education at the Indian School, before doing his MBBS and then MS (Master’s in ENT) in India at the prestigious Manipal University. For more information or to book your appointment call 1724 6800.

Truths & Myths About Fat

1. Myth: Eating fats makes me fat.

Fats contain 9kcals per gram, whereas protein and carbohydrates contain almost half of that. Therefore, it is easier to gain weight from eating fats. However, even eating proteins and carbohydrates in excess of your caloric expenditure will cause weight gain.

2. Truth: Limiting fat is healthy.

For a diet to be healthy, the body needs a certain (and limited) amount of fat. Fats have many benefits; as they are necessary in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, while essential fatty acids (i.e. Omega 3s and 6s) create numerous healthy effects in the body, such as lower levels of cholesterol, protect against inflammation and prevent cardiovascular disease. These fatty acids are found in salmon, tuna, walnuts, flaxseeds, soya nuts, and olive and canola oil. American dietary guidelines recommend that 30% of total calories come from fat, so in a 2000kcal diet this equals 67 grams of fat.

3. Myth: Food that has a lot of fat is also packed with cholesterol.

Foods that are high in fat are often low in cholesterol. Cholesterol is not found in vegetable fats, but in animal fats such as in eggs, beef and chicken. Cholesterol is important for maintaining intestinal health, but too much may increase blood cholesterol.

4. Myth: A low fat diet is always best.

Low-fat or fat-free products often contain more added sugar in order to compensate for the lost palatability, which can make these products equal or higher in caloric content than their original counterparts. Eating too much saturated and total fat in a diet can increase cholesterol and triglycerides, but so can eating too much added sugar and calories. Thus, in some cases, the original version might be the better choice, so always compare the caloric content, especially because fats provide satiety and very low fat diets make it difficult to achieve a feeling of fullness after a long time.

Nada Jawahery is the Registered Dietician at Royal Bahrain Hospital and is a member of, and licensed by, the American Dietetics Association. For more information call 17246832 or email: Nada.Jawahery@royalbhrn.com