Dr Quinn Medicine Woman

BANGALORE: Apollo Hospitals on Thursday announced the launch of an exclusive breast clinic for diagnosis treatment and complete management of breast health and issues.

The clinic would not only cater to detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer but also cater to non-cancerous cases. Persons keen in going for cosmetic surgery for augmentation or breast reduction could also avail of the services available in the clinic, said Dr Bapsy, senior consultant oncologist.

The multi-disciplinary breast clinic would offer consultation, diagnosis, treatment and surgery for all breast related issues. It would have oncologists, cosmetic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, genetic counselors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, Gynaecologists, social worker and nurses.

"Every case will be reviewed by team of doctors giving the patient a benefit of a broad range of specialist opinions. The treatment involves a collective approach ensuring better accuracy and patient recovery time", said Dr Naveen Rao.

The tests on patient will be conducted over the course of just one visit to the clinic. The treatment of options for cancer cases would include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and other innovative treatment procedures available.

"Patients will be counselled and put through rehabilitation programmes", said Dr Anil Kamath, consultant oncologist.One in every 22 Indian women are likely to develop breast related disease during their life time as per the Indian Council of Medical Research, said Dr Bapsy.

However, most women continue to be extremely shy and were reluctant in approaching a doctor with complaints relating to breast related problems.Eighty percent patients came very late due to excessive shyness,the doctor said,adding the clinic would attempt to disseminate information to get women seek faster diagnosis.

NEW DELHI: Ten months after the World Bank published a report alleging rampant fraud and corruption in Indian healthcare projects including supply of sub-standard HIV testing kits, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has pulled up the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in connection with the charges.

NACO will now have to explain the "factual position" with regards to the allegations of sub-standard HIV diagnostic kits supplied by a private player and documents related to investigations by World Bank in the matter.

The CIC issued a show cause notice to NACO, the nodal agency handling HIV control strategies and their implementation in the country, asking it to explain why the maximum fine of Rs 25,000 should not be slapped on the organisation for withholding requisite information when demanded.

Hearing the petition of R Venkataraman, who sought all the documents of related investigations in the matter from NACO, the CIC directed the organisation "to provide the appellant with the DIR report of the World Bank along with the factual position with regard to HIV Kits in India and NACO's recommendations based on the World Bank report".

In January 2008, the World Bank published a report showing rampant fraud and corruption in Indian healthcare projects including supply of sub-standard HIV testing kits.

Appellant Venkataraman stated before commission that both World Bank and NACO were involved with the investigation of complaints against the sub-standard kits and pleaded to provide him the same.

Information Commissioner Annapurna Dixit observed, "This information is being sought very clearly in public interest as cited by the appellant and therefore believes that it has every reason for overriding any apprehension which the Public Authority may have on its disclosure."

Slimming concerns have been on the mind of many women in our modern society. They want to lose weight due to both health and beauty reasons. Being overweight may lead to various health risks such heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

On top of that, our culture appears to reward those who look slim. Those who look slim are perceived to be beautiful. Perhaps that may have something to do with our media. The slim model or the slim actress is beautiful. And as these celebrities are role models, consumers tend to want to be like them. So they go out of their way to try and be slim.

One of the methods that they use is liposuction. Liposuction has become a very popular method to lose excess fat. It is a surgical process that allows the doctor to remove excess fat. This process can achieve dramatic results in a very short time span. However, the cost can be steep, the results short-lived, and there are several risks involved.

First of all, similar to any type of surgery, there is always the risk of infection. Infection occurs when an open wound has failed to heal properly, and bacteria starts to infect the wounded area. A mild infection can cause a lot of pain and irritation, while a severe infection can be life threatening.

Embolism is another type of complication that may arise. Embolism occurs when loose fat enters the blood stream through a punctured blood vessel. Blood vessels may be punctured during surgery. The fat then travels in the blood stream to other parts of the body such as the lungs or the brain. Embolism may cause disability or in a severe case, cause fatality.

During a surgery, visceral perforations may occur. This is the medical term for wounding organs during a surgery. As the surgery progresses, the doctor is unable to see where the probe is, and may end up injuring an organ. If that happens, further surgery may be required to repair the damaged organs. Severely damaged organs may even lead to fatality.

Also, after a liposuction surgery, a patient may experience skin necrosis. The skin directly above the liposuction site is dead and starts to fall off. This, in turn, may lead to infection.

The above are just several examples of the risks that are associated with liposuction. Patients not only have to pay a bomb for the surgery fees, they also have to undertake many risks that come hand in hand with surgery.

Fortunately, there is a safe and painless alternative - the body wrap. A product such as the LIPOWRAP (tm) offers a safe, painless, and cheaper alternative to liposuction. You can apply the wrap to any part of the body you want, at any time of the day. It is easy to use, and convenient to bring along while traveling.

A body wrap like LIPOWRAP (tm) can also be used to firm up loose skin. Women who have loose skin after pregnancy or surgery will most certainly find this slimming solution very useful.

NEW DELHI: Religare Wellness (formerly Fortis Healthworld), the privately-held pharma retail chain owned by Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, has bought 100% stake in Lifetime Healthcare for an undisclosed amount.

Bangalore-based Lifetime Healthcare operates over 70 pharmacy and wellness stores in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune under the LifeKen and Pill & Powder brands.

Though the deal value stands undisclosed, sources intermediating in the deal say, it is a cash-plus-stock transaction. The promoters of Lifetime Healthcare will get a small minority stake of Religare Wellness in the future.

Formed in 2005 by two entrepreneurs MC Kini and A Suryanarayanan, Lifetime Healthcare had received funding worth Rs 40 crore in 2006 from the Mody family, who own pharma company JB Chemicals. Following this, it had charted out nationwide expansion plans.

Religare Wellness CEO Sanjeev Chaudhry said, “The shareholders of both Religare Wellness and Lifetime Healthcare believe the deal is a significant step in building of a large-scale, pan-India entity that will lead the wellness retail sector in India.”

The Delhi-based firm is aggressively pursuing expansion by buying out rival firms to compete in the fragmented Rs 33,000-crore domestic drugs retail market. Organised pharmacy chains account for less than 5% of the overall market.

This is the second acquisition by Religare Wellness in the recent times, as it expands presence across the country. In August, it had acquired Delhi-based company CRS retail which had around 40 stores.

With the latest acquisition, Religare Wellness will have around 200 retail outlets across the country. Speaking on behalf of the promoters, senior group executive Sunil Godhwani said, “As a group we have a significant understanding of both the retail and wellness space which we shall leverage effectively going forward.

Are you tired of changing in the dark because you are shy to show your husband your post-pregnancy body? These exercises after pregnancy, are designed to define and tone your most problematic areas to get rid of baby lumps and bumps. All you need is 15 minutes daily to win back your body!

For perky breasts after breast-feeding and toned arms:

Wall push ups

For a great arm and breast toning exercise after pregnancy, try the wall push-up. This is an easy yet very effective exercise designed to work the pectoral muscles behind your chest and will work to firm sagging muscles. It also utilizes all the muscles in your arms, from the biceps to the triceps, as you push your body weight against the wall.

Pic 1 - Find a wall and stand at arm's length with feet hip distance apart. Place your hands in front of your shoulders.

Pic 2 - Slowly bend your elbows as you bring your body closer to the wall then slowly straighten out your arms.

Do 6x to start, 3 reps. Slowly working up to 15x, 2 reps.

Plank (intermediate)

The plank is a well-known exercise in both Pilates and yoga. It is one of the most popular exercises for developing core strength and stability as well as the arms, bottom and legs. It is a full body challenge, so please ensure that you read the instructions properly and build up your upper body strength with wall push-ups first before attempting it. You will know that you're doing the plank well when you have good form, feel your centre working and have good shoulder stabilization without being rigid.

Pic 1 - Begin on your knees and walk your hands out on the floor, allowing your legs to stretch out behind you.

Pic 2 - Place hands under your shoulders, keep your body level and your feet hip distance apart. Draw your belly button towards your spine and don't stick your bottom up in the air.

Hold for 5 counts to start, slowly working yourself to 10 then 15 counts.

For a flat tummy:

Roll ups

This is like a sit-up except that it is gentle on your back and works more effectively as there is no pressure on your legs and you are working your abs 100% when you get up. It is a great post pregnancy exercise to do.

1. Lie on floor with feet hip distance apart and arms straight up towards the wall.

2. Take a deep breath and exhale as you "peel" your back off the floor, stretching your arms towards your feet.

Do 10x.

Side-twists

This is a great exercise post pregnancy that works your sides, giving you a smaller waist and works to give you sexy muscle definition on the sides of your tummy.

1. Lie down and bring knees 90 degrees to your tummy and support your head up with your hands.

2. Take a deep breath and exhale as you point your opposite elbow to your opposite knee and vice versa, making sure to keep your lower back against the floor.

Do 6x, working your way up to 10x slowly.

For nice, firm bottoms:

Squats

This post pregnancy exercise utilizes the abdominals for stability and is mostly a lower body exercise. Initiate the squat from your hips by sitting back and down, keeping the weight on your heels as opposed to the balls of your feet. Squat down to a position where your thighs are approximately parallel to the ground, then press back up to starting position. Keeping your weight more towards your heels is the key factor to protect your knees from injury and develop strong injury-resistent knee joints.

Pic 1 - Standing with feet hip distance apart and hands on hips or straight for balance.

Pic 2 - Slowly lower yourself until thighs are parallel to floor then slowly stand upright.

Do 6x to start, 3 reps. Slowly working up to 15x, 3 reps.

Lunges

The benefits of lunges, when done correctly, include well-defined thighs and a bottom that will defy gravity! It also works your abs as you keep your balance while performing your lunges. Always stand upright with chest out and head up. When you lunges forward, you want to stay tight with your abs firmly drawn in. You should feel a stretch in your bottom and front thigh and try not to take too big steps such that you are one-step away from splitting your pants.

Pic 1 - Standing with feet hip distance apart and hands on hips.

Pic 2 - Take a big step forward, bending the front knee and lowering the back knee towards the floor, keeping front heel down and knee directly over the center of the foot.

Do 6x to start, 3 reps. Slowly working up to 15x, 3 reps.

For sexy, defined legs:

This is my self-designed Pilates routine to stretch every muscle in your legs - from the toes to your hamstrings. It is an easy to do post pregnancy exercise that will tighten your bottom, work on your thighs and calves as well as define your waist.

Single leg stretch

Pic 1 - Lie on your side in a straight line with legs on top of each other and hand in front of chest for balance. Keep abs and bottom tight. Raise top leg until it is in line with your hips.

Pic 2 - Then bring bottom leg up to touch top leg.

Do 6x

Double leg stretch

Pic 1 - Lie on your side in a straight line with legs on top of each other and hand in front of chest for balance. Keep abs and bottom tight.

Pic 2 - Raise both legs until they are in line with your hips.

Do 6x

Leg scissors

Pic 1 - Lie on your side in a straight line with legs on top of each other and hand in front of chest for balance. Keep abs and bottom tight.

Pic 2 - Scissor legs slowly from front to back.

Do 6x