Bangalore is many things to many people. The place where their careers started or to some, the place where new relationships were formed. Bangalore is a city that is full of promise for everyone who calls her home. If you’re new to the city all excited to embark on the journey to ace your new job, make new friends and the chance to live on your own, there are a few things you need to know about Bangalore.

Ask anybody who has been living in Bangalore, they’ll tell you that the city that is always blooming also puts a stress on your health. From pollen allergy, typhoid infection to jaundice, the new resident in Bangalore has many health challenges to adjust to in their new environment. The reason behind these health issues include pollution, unhygienic food consumption, work-related stress and other factors.

So, how do you stop yourself from getting sick? We have listed a few tips to help you settle down in Bangalore.

1.Vaccination

Be it jaundice, hepatitis or typhoid, currently many vaccinations are available that can be used to boost your immunity against virus and bacteria. Though not fool-proof, vaccinations act as the first defence against potentially harmful germs.

2.Alcohol consumption

Bangalore is currently the pub capital of the country. With the trend of alcohol consumption on the rise, liver diseases like fatty liver is also on the rise. Having a weak liver can affect your overall health and fitness. Get a healthy liver assessment done and reduce the chances of being caught unaware.

3. Exercise regularly

Being desk bound reduces your immunity and keeps you open to the possibility of contracting infections. It also leads to many work-related conditions like carpal tunnel, tension neck syndrome, back pain etc. Always take breaks in between work and walk around your workspace. It is always a good idea to keep aside at least an hour or half in a day for exercise. This will energize you daily and keep you fit. You can even take up a sport you like and work towards building your stamina and resistance. Next time you are at Vikram hospital, pop in for a chat with our Yoga expert, Dr Shashikant.

4. Stay away from allergens

The dry climate of Bangalore and the constant pollution makes it easy for people to get sick due to allergies. Added to that, Bangalore is home to many flowering trees that cause pollen allergy in many people. Wear a mask when you travel in the city and always keep your surroundings free of dust.

5.Washing hands with soap

Diseases like typhoid and jaundice spread from our hands to our mouth. Make it a habit to always clean your hands with soap and water to ensure no germs get to your mouth.

6.Always drink boiled water

Contaminated water is the main reason behind gastrointestinal diseases. Even if you buy mineral water cans, it is best to drink them after boiling. The source of the water is unknown to most of us so it is best to boil the water.

7.Eat hot and healthy food

If you have no option but to eat out, ensure the food is at least hot which will check the propagation of microbes. The best option is to eat home-cooked meals, but if that is impossible, go to restaurants that are known for their hygiene.

8.Try to live close to your office

This is a huge challenge but one worth attempting! The long travel time is one of the worst scenarios that plagues the office crowd. Try to find accommodation close to office so that you are not unnecessarily tired with commuting, which can lead to reduced immunity. It can also save you money!!

9.Maintain healthy body weight

Cholesterol and obesity have been linked to severe lifestyle ailments like heart disease and diabetes that could turn fatal. With the increasing instances of cardiac arrest and stroke in young people, it is time to take steps to ensure you retain a healthy body weight. Bengaluru offers many options of activity, from walking in the fabulous parks, cycling & running clubs and gyms. Join one and stay fit.

10.Take your meals on time

Acid reflux, peptic ulcer and other related ailments are seen to be affecting those in the IT sector. This is mainly due to long work hours, skipping meals and irregular meal times. Ensuring your meal routine is not disturbed due to work goes a long way in helping you stay healthy. Carry healthy bites with you to avoid long gaps in meal times or if you are stuck in traffic.

Bangalore offers its populace many avenues to unwind, from beautiful sightseeing locales, sumptuous spread of local delicacies to hotspots for fun and entertainment. But a hospital is not one of them. So, keep these points in mind and live healthy!!

You walk into the living room. Your father is holding on to the sofa, his feet weak and trying to call for you, but his speech is slurred. What do you do?

First recognize these as the symptoms of stroke. To remember the symptoms of stroke, recall the FAST test. If you believe a person is suffering from stroke, look for the following signs -

Stroke - Types and treatments

A person suffers from stroke when blood flow to the brain is cut off because of blood clots or rupturing of an artery. The types of stroke are classified according to the reason for blood deprivation.

Ischemic stroke - The most common type of stroke (close to 85%), ischemic stroke occurs due to a blood clot in the arteries that bring blood to the brain. The treatment for ischemic stroke is through the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication dissolves the clot and helps improve blood flow. But effectiveness of this treatment has a lot to do with immediate administration of tPA. Ideally, tPA needs to be given within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms In some situations, it can be given up to 4.5 hours after onset of symptoms.
Other forms of treatment include endovascular treatment, where specialist doctors are required to remove the clot with a catheter. This requires enhanced equipment to ensure the proper diagnosis of the area of the clot and specialist emergency care doctors to perform the procedure.

Endovascular treatment is available at Vikram Hospital, with a dedicated team of interventionists and stroke neurologists round the clock.

Hemorrhagic stroke - Hemorrhagic stroke occurs due to rupture or leak of a blood vessel in the brain. Most often, this occurs due to uncontrolled blood pressure. Treatment primarily revolves around immediate and optimal control of blood pressure. In some situations, there may be need for surgical intervention to decompress the brain.

Stroke has adverse effects on the physiology of a person and can also cause permanent physical damage. The only way to prevent lasting impairment is getting the person the right emergency care and FAST.