Newsletter June 2021

My Dear K-Way Readers,

Welcome to the month of June. Try to stay cool this warm month!

Time flies; hopefully, so shall our worries.Modelling by scientists indicate the wave will peak May end or by early June and then begin to plateau and drop. We already see worries about a third wave. Learning from our lessons in failing to prepare for the second wave, let us be prepared for a third wave. It’s twice smart, to be both prepared, and do our best to prevent. Both are possible and doable.

We are seeing light at the end of the tunnel; soon we shall emerge into sunshine. But that hope should be bolstered with effort and determination. Sound public health measures and good science together will tame this once wild virus of Wuhan now taunting us with its variants. [Read More…]

About what we are going through together, in this pandemic world

About what we are going through together, in this pandemic world

A tribute to our patients, colleagues and ourselves!

It’s now a year since COVID- 19 arrived to blightour health and lives. A wild virus from Wuhan wielded the first wave; now, a virulent and vicious variant violates our life through this second wave. This time around, the confrontation is even more painful and poignant as we see younger people falling under the wheels of this tiny, just a wispy strand of RNA, yet a powerful juggernaut.

Covid and the “cooped-at-home” child

We are coursing through unprecedented times. The current Covid-19 crisis has posed challenges to us at every possible level of the societal network. We have changed our ways of life – the way we shop, eat, work, play, unwind, and engage in study. Children especially have borne the brunt of a paradigm shift in their daily routine due to closure of schools and restriction of movement and outdoor activity. They too suffer the psychological and behavioural adversities precipitated by the pandemic…

Life of Doctors - Patients, Medicine and Beyond...

Dr Suresh Venkita, our Group Medical Director, a senior cardiologist and an avid writer, has yet again shared this lovely story from his desk.

Rhea meets Rama

‘Are you sure, Rhea?’ asks my mother.

‘Of course I’m. Survival of the fittest, mother. I’m not going against Darwin. Also, I don’t want unnecessary scars on my body.’

It’s a known fact that we are all born to die. And frankly, I don’t understand why it has to be made into such a big deal. If it were not for my mother, I would have said that to the bunch of people outside my house, some of them with young kids, shouting slogans, waving placards, literally wanting me to cut one of my beating hearts out. “Save A Life. Donate!” they shout.

Mucormycosis - Questions and Answers

What is Mucormycosis and how do we get infected by it?

Mucormycosis (being called as black fungus) is a complication caused by a serious fungal infection, which typically does not act as a serious threat to those with a healthy immune system.

However, now a spike is observed in mucormycosis among individuals hospitalised for or recovering from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, it is emerging as the most significant challenge in the second wave of COVID-19 infections. It is anon-contagious disease.

Ocular Manifestations in Coronavirus Disease and Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic caused by the highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak of SARS in 2003 was followed by a study in Singapore, and SARS-CoV was detected in tear samples of SARS patients. The primary risk factor of SARS-CoV transmission from SARS patients to healthcare workers was found to be a lack of protective equipments for the eye.

Preventing heart disease

Heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes

Heart disease is increasing at an alarming rate in India, and unfortunately, awareness levels about the same are appallingly low. Dr K.P. Suresh Kumar, Chief Cardiologist at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, says, “India is the diabetes capital of the world. It is the same with hypertension (high blood pressure). Every third adult in India is hypertensive. And only 33 per cent of those who are hypertensive are aware of it.” And to make matters worse, he adds, “Again, of that group, only 33 per cent get treatment, and of that 33 per cent, only one-third of them have it under control.” Indians, especially South Indians, are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease at a young age and in middle age, he says.

Dementia

Dr Sivarajan Thandeeswaran, Senior Consultant – Stroke & Neurovascular Medicine

Kauvery Kares

The world was connected a year back. We were traveling, like no place was far away and working away from our loved ones and home towns, yet staying digitally connected. The pandemic has stalled and paused this busy moving world, but we all know that it’s going to resume and it’s a matter of only how fast? We are going to travel the world for work, for business, for whatever, and this time with a realization that health is a priority.

Patient Experience

“I went for Vaccination today. The place was very neat and well organized. The staff were very pleasant and professional. Social dostancing and Covid protocols were followed. Overall a pleasant and safe experience during this time. Would recommend others to get Vaccinated and if possible at Kauvery Hospitals.”
-RMS